Based on preliminary
Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute
(AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total
of 2,944,000 net tons (NT) of steel in April 2008, including
2,194,000 NT of finished steel (up 15 and 4 percent,
respectively, vs. March final data).
Total and finished steel imports through the first
four months of 2008 are down 7 and 9 percent, respectively
vs. the same period in 2007. However, the monthly average
for finished steel imports in the most recent 3-month
period (February-April 2008) is up 8 percent vs. monthly
average in the previous 3 months (November 2007-January
2008). Total and finished steel imports on an annualized
basis are down 4 and 5 percent, respectively, vs. 2007.
On an annualized basis, total imports of steel in 2008
would be 32 million NT.
Key products with large increases in April compared
to the month before include: Ingots and Billets and
Slabs (up 64%), Hot Rolled Sheets (up 40%), Reinforcing
Bar (up 30%), Wire Rods (up 92%), Plates in Coil (up
33%) and Cold Finished Bar (up 32%). For the first four
months of 2008, products showing increases vs. the same
period in 2007 were Line Pipe (up 26%), Oil Country
Goods (up 18%) and Heavy Structural Shapes (up 10%).
For April, the largest volumes of finished steel imports
from offshore were from South Korea (211,000 NT, up
33%), China (at 180,000 NT, down 26% from March), Japan
(169,000 NT, up 17%), Germany (146,000 NT, up 79%) and
Turkey (142,000 NT, up 368%). Below is a summary chart
of finished imports by country.
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.
AISI is comprised of 31 member companies, including
integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 130
associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to
or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies
represent approximately 75 percent of both U.S. and
North American steel capacity. For more news about steel
and its applications, view AISI’s Web site at
www.steel.org.
Source: American Iron and
Steel Institute, May 28, 2008
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