In a report released Monday, the American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) announced that steel exports from the US totaled 1.201 million tons in December, a 2.4 percent decrease from November, according to government data. However, year-on-year export totals in December represented an increase of 29.4 percent from December 2010.
Full-year 2011 export totals increased by 12.1 percent over 2010--reaching 13,454,195 tons, within 0.16 percent of the record total in 2008.
"Steel exports continued their advance in 2011, with shipment of US-made steel products increasing to all international markets," said David Phelps, president, AIIS. "The continued growth in exports reflects both the commitment that American steel producers have made to participating in international markets as well as especially the growth in demand in the developing world. While US steel exports to our NAFTA partners dominate, we are pleased to see the continued growth in non-NAFTA markets."