On Wednesday, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date February 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for year-to-date February 2012 compared to the same 2011 two month period.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
- Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 53,323 tons, a 21.4 percent decrease compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 273,206 tons, a 1.4 percent increase; two month import penetration was 19.5 percent, a 5.7 percentage point decrease from 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 38,518 tons, a 49.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 78,196 tons, a 41 percent increase; two month import penetration was 49.3 percent, a 3 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 23,890 tons, a 12.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 44,428 tons, a 5.2 percent increase; two month import penetration was 53.8 percent, a 3.6 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 4,796 tons, a 2.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 11,309 tons, an 11.6 percent decrease; two month import penetration was 42.4 percent, a 5.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 7,268 tons, a 3.1 percent decrease compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 10,017 tons, a 1.5 percent increase; two month import penetration was 72.6 percent, a 3.4 percentage point decrease from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date February 2012 were 127,795 tons, a 0.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 417,157 tons, a 7 percent increase; two month import penetration was 30.6 percent, a 2 percentage point decrease from 2011.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 24,199 tons, a 29.1 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date February 2012 were 19,099 tons, a 7.2 percent decrease compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 46,116 tons, a 39.7 percent increase from year-to-date February 2011; two month import penetration was 41.4 percent, a 20.9 percentage point decrease from 2011.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in year-to-date February 2012 were 171,093 tons, a 2.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date February 2011; US consumption was 477,427 tons, a 9.7 percent increase; two month import penetration was 35.8 percent, a 2.4 percentage point decrease from 2011.