On Wednesday, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date (YTD) May 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD May 2012 compared to the same five month period in 2011.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
- Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 169,375 tons, a 2.3 percent decrease compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 698,692 tons, a 2.6 percent decrease; five month import penetration was 24.2 percent, the same as 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 97,701 tons, a 42 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 192,850 tons, a 30.5 percent increase; five month import penetration was 50.7 percent, a 4.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 66,000 tons, an 8.9 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 116,434 tons, a 2.1 percent increase; five month import penetration was 56.7 percent, a 3.6 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 13,538 tons, a 5.1 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 30,874 tons, a 9.8 percent decrease; five month import penetration was 43.8 percent, a 6.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 19,965 tons, a 0.2 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 24,963 tons, a 3.2 percent decrease; five month import penetration was 80 percent, a 2.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD May 2012 were
366,580 tons, a 9.2 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption was 1,063,814 tons, a 2.4 percent increase; five month import penetration was 34.5 percent, a 2.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 56,524 tons, a 26.2 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in YTD May 2012 were 53,617 tons, a 13.5 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in
YTD May 2012 were 476,721 tons, an 11.5 percent increase compared to YTD May 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.