Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported on March 22 that the U.S. imported a total of 1,777,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February, including 1,371,000 NT of finished steel (down 16 percent and 19 percent, respectively, from January final data).
Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2011 would be 23.4 and 18.4 million NT, respectively, each down 2 percent vs. 2010.
Finished steel import market share in February was an estimated 18 percent and is 20 percent through 2 months of this year, a slight decline from the 21 percent for full year 2010.
In February 2011, compared to the month before, imports of reinforcing bars were up 63 percent; they are up 79 percent year-to-date.
Other major products with significant year-to-date import increases vs. the same period last year include oil country goods (up 90 percent) and cut length plate (up 84 percent).
For a downloadable PDF of the AISI press releases, including charts and table, click here: Imports Decline 16 percent; Import Market Share at 18 percent.
