U.S. steel imports down 5 percent in September '05

U.S. steel imports down 5 percent in September '05

According to a report from the US Department of Commerce, overall steel imports decreased 5 percent in September 2005 compared to August 2005. The change in September’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to decreases in oil country goods and reinforcing bars. The report shows that imports of finished steel products decreased 8 percent in September 2005 compared to August 2005, and imports of semi-finished steel increased 7 percent. In September 2005, imports of steel mill products were down 10 percent compared to September 2004. Finished steel imports were down 38 percent from September 2004, while semi-finished steel products decreased 46 percent compared to September 2004. The following is a comparison of select steel product imports for September 2005:

Product                   Change
              Month on Month   Year on Year
             
Hot-rolled          32%            -49%
Cold-rolled          1%            -44%
Wire rod             3%            -59%
Rebar              -49%            -74%
Hot-rolled bar     -18%            -27%
Standard pipe      -15%              7%
Semi-finished        7%            -46%

October 2005 preliminary figures will be released on November 29, 2005.