WASHINGTON — Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 1,214,000 net tons (NT) of steel in April 2009, including 1,107 ,000 NT of finished steel (down 21% and 25%, respectively, vs. March final data). Total and finished steel imports on an annualized basis are down 37% and 28%, respectively, vs. 2008. Annualized total imports of steel in 2009 would be 20.1 million NT. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 25% in April and year-to-date (YTD) through four months is an estimated 30%.

Key products with increases in April 2009 compared to March include Heavy Structural Shapes (up 15%), Cold Rolled Sheets (up 9%) and Tin Plate (up 5%). For YTD 2009 vs. same period last year, OCTG imports (led by China) are up 50%.

In April, the largest volume of finished imports from offshore was from China (98,000 NT, down 50% from March). The April tonnage from China was 9% of all finished imports and, based on YTD data, finished steel imports from China in 2009 would annualize at 3.0 million NT. Other major offshore suppliers in April were Japan (84,000 NT, down 21% from April), India (79,000, down 5%), and Korea (71,000 NT, down 48%). For YTD 2009 vs. same period last year, finished imports are up significantly for a number of countries -- including China (up by 33%). Below are charts on estimated steel market share by month and finished steel 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 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 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: PR Newswire, May 27, 2009