The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported Tuesday that based on preliminary data from the US Census Bureau, US steel imports fell 3 percent in October from September to 2.19 million net tons (nt). Finished steel imports, however, rose 4 percent to 1.75 million nt from September to October. Finished steel import market share in October was an estimated 21 percent and is 22 percent year-to-date.
Imports of a few finished steel products registered double-digit increases from September to October--hot rolled sheet imports jumped 49 percent, metallic coated sheet and strip imports climbed 33 percent and mechanical tubing imports were up 23 percent. Year-to-date, cut-to-length plate and coiled plate imports were up 56 percent and 33 percent, respectively; hot rolled bar imports rose 27 percent, line pipe imports swelled 26 percent and oil country goods imports increased 22 percent.
Additionally, in the first 10 months of 2011, the largest offshore suppliers of finished steel were South Korea (2.44 million nt and up 44 percent); Japan (1.23 million nt and up 9 percent) and China (1.05 million nt and up 45 percent).