The U.S. imported a total of 1,982,000 net tons of steel in June, down 14% vs. May 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 June total included
1,543,000 net tons of finished steel, also down 14% vs. May final data.
On an annualized basis, total steel imports in 2010 would be 23.3 million net tons, up 44% vs. 2009, while finished steel imports would be 18.3 million net tons, up 29% vs. 2009.
Finished steel import market share was an estimated 19% in June, vs. a low of 15% in August 2009. For the second quarter of 2010, import market share was 21% vs. 19% in Q1 2010. In the first 6 months of 2010, total and finished steel imports were up 35% and 14%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in June 2010 compared to May include
· Reinforcing bars, + 131%
· Sheet and strip all other metallic coatings, + 33%
· Standard pipe, + 14%
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in the first 6 months of 2010 vs. the same period of last year include
· Wire rods, + 157%
· Hot rolled bar, + 53%
· Sheet & strip all other metallic coated, + 48%
· Hot rolled sheet, + 45%
· Hot-dip galvanized sheet & strip, + 32%
In June, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (152,000 net tons, down 16%), China (78,000 net tons, up 28%), Taiwan (77,000 net tons, up 245%), Japan (71,000 net tons, down 43%) and Turkey (64,000 net tons, up 18%). For the first six months of 2010, the largest offshore suppliers were South Korea (889,000 net tons, up 15%), Japan (621,000 net tons, up 11%) and Germany (450,000 net tons, up 52%).
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 23 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.