The American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) reported Monday that steel exports increased 5.1 percent in January compared to February according to US government data. Steel exports to the US NAFTA partners showed solid gains, but exports to other markets such as the EU, non-NAFTA Western Hemisphere, Africa and Asia all registered declines, said David Phelps, president, AIIS.
For the year to year comparison, January exports were 19.1 percent higher than in January 2011. Total steel exports in January 2012 were 1.262 million tons compared to 1.201 million tons in December 2011.
A few notable changes from December 2011 to January 2012 include: US steel exports to the EU fell 26.5 percent; exports to Venezuela dropped 56.2 percent; exports to Peru and Africa fell 88.4 and 72.9, respectively. Meanwhile, exports to Panama surged 626.1 percent.
Compared to January 2011, January 2012 exports to Russia increased 179.4 percent; exports to Ecuador climbed 208.1 percent; and exports to Colombia rose 252.8 percent.