Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,440,000 net tons (NT) of steel in September, including 1,886,000
NT of finished steel (down 9% and 8%, respectively, from August final data). Year-to-date (YTD) finished steel imports, however, are up 18% vs. the same period in 2011. Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2012 would be 34.0 and 26.3 million NT, up 19% and 21%, each, respectively vs. 2011.
Finished steel import market share in September was an estimated 22% and is estimated at 24% YTD.
Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in September 2012 compared to August are standard rails (up 256%), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 63%), standard pipe (up 16%) and wire rods (up 12%). Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include reinforcing bar (up 48%), line pipe (up 40%), sheets & strip galvanized hot dipped (up 33%), plates – cut lengths (up 32%) and oil country goods (up 31%).