American Iron and Steel Institute: Preliminary Finished Steel Imports Up 5% in April as Surge Continues

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,997,000 net tons (NT) of steel in April, including 2,336,000 NT of finished steel (down 2% and up 5%, respectively, from March final data). Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2012 would be 34.8 and 26.5 million NT, respectively, each up 22% vs. 2011. Finished steel import market share in April and Year-To-Date (YTD) were 24% and 23%, respectively.

Key finished steel products with significant import increases in April 2012 compared to March are plates in coils (up 138%), hot rolled sheets (up 59%), wire rods (up 56%), sheet and strip all other metallic coated (up 50%) and sheets and strip galvanized hot dipped (up 47%). Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include plates in coils (up 67%), reinforcing bars (up 63%), plates - cut lengths (up 56%), line pipe (up 44%) and sheets and strip galvanized hot dipped (up 43%).
Read the full report here.