The American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) reported that exports of steel mills products amounted to 706,000 mt in July, representing a 0.2 percent increase over June. However, July exports were still 46.4 percent less than the same month last year.
Nevertheless, AIIS president, David Phelps, said, "Exports increased primarily on strengthening exports to the NAFTA market, which increased by 49 thousand tons in July compared to June. Since these transactions are based on business conditions more coincident with the exports, we are hopeful that this trend can be sustained throughout the region."
Accumulated steel exports from the beginning of the year through July totaled 4.6 million mt, a 40.5 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2008.