STEEL IMPORTS HEADLINESSteel Imports
Preliminary Steel Imports Decrease 5% in February
Mar. 24, 2010 The U.S. imported a total of 1,574,000 net tons of steel in February, down 5% vs. January 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 February total included 1,214,000 net tons of finished steel, which was down 6% vs. January final data.
On an annualized basis, total steel imports in 2010 would be 19.4 million net tons, up 20% vs. 2009. Finished steel imports in 2010 would be 15.0 million net tons, up 6% vs. 2009. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 18% in February.
Key finished steel products with increases in February 2010 compared to January include
· Reinforcing bar, +109%
· Wire rods, +45%
· Hot rolled sheets, +9%
In February, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (98,000 NT, down 35%), Japan (112,000 NT, up 38%), China (46,000 NT, down 31%), Italy (48,000 NT, down 5%) and Australia (48,000 NT, up 73%).
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.