The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date March 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for year-to-date March 2012 compared to the same 2011 three month period.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
- Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 84,919 tons, a 16.4 percent decrease compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 410,414 tons, a 8.9 percent decrease; three month import penetration was 20.7 percent, a 1.9 percentage point decrease from 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 58,038 tons, a 34 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 116,491 tons, a 24.2 percent increase; three month import penetration was 49.8 percent, a 3.6 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 39,638 tons, a 13.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 70,464 tons, a 4.4 perecnt increase; three month import penetration was 56.3 percent, a 4.5 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 7,565 tons, an 8 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 17,820 tons, an 8.8 percent decrease; three month import penetration was 42.5 percent, a 6.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 11,143 tons, a 4.8 percent decrease compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 14,587 tons, a 4.8 percent decrease; three month import penetration was 76.4 percent, which was same as that in interim 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date March 2012 were 201,304 tons, a 1.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption was 629,775 tons, a 2.6 percent decrease; three month import penetration was 32 percent, a 1.3 percentage point increase from 2011.
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Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 35,997 tons, a 32.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date March 2012 were 31,855 tons, a 6.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in year-to-date March 2012 were 269,156 tons, a 5.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date March 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.