The U.S. imported a total of 1,321,000 net tons of steel in November 2009, down 19% from October final data, according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The report, which is based on preliminary Census Bureau data, shows that the total includes 954,000 net tons of finished steel, down 23% vs. October final data.
On an annualized basis, total steel imports in 2009 would be 16.1 million net tons, down 50% vs. 2008, while finished steel imports would be 14.2 million net tons, down 45%. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 15% in November and is an estimated 22% year-to-date (YTD) through eleven months.
Key finished steel products with increases in November 2009 compared to October include tin plate (+6%), standard pipe (+5%) and hot rolled sheets (+4%).
In November, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (105,000 net tons, down 6%), China (61,000 net tons, up 10%), The Netherlands (60,000 net tons, down 39%), Japan (55,000 net tons, down 40%), and Brazil (49,000 net tons, up 170%).
Based on the first 11 months of 2009, finished steel imports from China would annualize at 1.5 million net tons, 68% less than in 2008 but more than any other offshore supplier.
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.