The U.S. imported a total of 2,238,000 net tons of steel in September, down 9% from August 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 September total included 1,662,000 net tons of finished steel, also down 9% from August final data.
Annualized total steel imports in 2011 would be 29.3 million net tons, up 22% vs. 2010, while finished steel imports in 2011 would annualize at 22.2 million net tons, up 18% vs. 2010. Finished steel import market share in September was an estimated 20%; for the year to date, it is 22%.
Key finished steel products with significant import increases in September 2011 compared to August include standard rails (up 100%) and tin plate (up 50%).
Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include
· Cut-length plates (up 52%)
· Plates in coils (up 34%)
· Hot rolled bar (up 28%)
· Oil country goods (up 25%)
· Reinforcing bar (up 24)
· Cold rolled sheets (up 23%)
· Line pipe (up 22%)
In September, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (212,000 net tons, up 6%), Japan (119,000 net tons, up 26%), China (107,000 net tons, down 11%), Germany (64,000 net tons, down 22%) and The Netherlands (59,000 net tons, up 127%).
For the first 9 months of 2011, the largest offshore suppliers have been South Korea (2,226,000 net tons, up 49%), Japan (1,109,000 net tons, up 11%) and China (944,000 net tons, up 41%).
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 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.