Steel Imports Decrease 4% in September
WASHINGTON -- The United States imported 2.761 million net tons of steel in September, including 2.117 million of finished steel. Both figures are down 4.1% from August.
Year-to-date total and finished steel imports are 23.892 million and 18.694 million net tons, respectively, down 7% and 6% compared to 2012, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute. The September totals are preliminary and based on U.S. Census Bureau information.
At the current rate, total and finished steel imports in 2013 would be 31.9 million and 24.9 million net tons, down 5% and 4% respectively, compared to 2012. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 23% in September and is estimated at 23% year-to-date.
Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in September compared to August are cut lengths plates (up 60%), hot rolled bars (up 47%), tin plate (up 35%) and plates in coils (up 16%). Major products with significant year-to-date import increases versus the same period last year include reinforcing bars (up 22%) and hot rolled bars (up 12%).
In September, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were all from Asia and Europe. They were from South Korea (317,000 net tons, down 15% versus August final), China (194,000 net tons, up 77%), Japan (191,000, up 4%), Turkey (115,000, up 24%) and The Netherlands (108,000, up 38%).
For the first nine months, the largest offshore suppliers were South Korea (2.752 million net tons, down 2%), Japan (1.481 million down 3%), China (1.378 million up 16%), Turkey (1.006 million, down 10%) and Germany (806,000, down 14%).
The American Iron and Steel Institute, a trade association, is composed of 24 companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 125 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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