The U.S. imported a total of 1,997,000 net tons of steel in December, down 6% vs. the November 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 December total included 1,510,000 net tons of finished steel, down 9% vs. the November final data.
Full-year 2011 total steel imports were 28.4 million net tons, up 19% vs. 2010, while finished steel imports were 21.8 million net tons, up 15% vs. 2010. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 18% in December; for the full-year 2011, finished steel import market share was an estimated 22%.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in December 2011 vs. November include
· Wire rods (up 49%)
· Reinforcing bar (up 49%)
· Mechanical tubing (up 16%)
· Sheets and strip all other metallic coated (up 10%)
Major products with import increases in excess of 30% in 2011 vs. 2010 include
· Cut-length plates (up 55%)
· Mechanical tubing (up 44%)
· Plates in coils (up 33%)
· Line pipe (up 32%)
In December, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (201,000 net tons, up 4%), Japan (103,000 net tons, down 10%), China (86,000 net tons, up 4%), Germany (84,000 net tons, up 30%) and India (52,000 net tons, down 21%). For full-year 2011 (based on preliminary data), the largest offshore suppliers were South Korea (2,835,000 net tons, up 39%), Japan (1,452,000 net tons, up 10%) and China (1,230,000 net tons, up 43%).
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 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 124 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.