US 2004 steel imports up 54.2% over 2003

US 2004 steel imports up 54.2% over 2003

According to preliminary data released by the US Commerce Department, US steel imports reached 32.35 million mts in 2004, up 54.2% over 2003. 2004 tonnage includes 25.68 million mts of finished steel, an increase of 54.6%. Total and finished steel imports in December 2004 were 2.5 million mts and 2.1 million mts, up by 62.7% and 77.3%, respectively, over December 2003. From November to December, the change in steel imports reflects decreases in blooms, billets, slabs, hot rolled sheets and reinforcing bars. Monthly changes in steel imports indicate decreases from Russia and Turkey. In the first eleven months of 2004, steel imports reached 29.8 million mts against 19.4 million mts recorded in the corresponding period of last year. The largest commodity increases were in blooms, billets, slabs, hot rolled sheets and wire rods. The largest country exporters to the US were Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico and China. The data shows that Turkey has exported 97'068 mts of finished steel to the US in December. This pace was 55% lower compared to November. Major import quantities of finished steel into US appear to be coming from EU, Canada, China, Korea and Brazil.