The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported Tuesday that US steel mills shipped a total of 4,138,000 net tons in March 2009, which is 4.3 percent less than was shipped in February.
Compared to a year ago, shipments were down 54.8 percent in March, the AISI reported.
A year-to-year comparison of year-to-date shipments shows the following changes within the major market classifications: service centers and distributors, down 54.9 percent; automotive, down 55.2 percent; construction and contractors' products, down 56.0 percent; and oil and gas, down 48.4 percent.