Italian steel imports on the rise

Italian steel imports on the rise

Imports from third countries into Italy have increased by 17.8% during the period that covers the five months from January to May 2003 compared to last year. The total imported tonnage this year equals to 3.6 million tons. 178 million tons of this total accounts for flat products, with a rise of 8.3% over last year figures while long product imports rise by 27.6% to 462'000 tons. These imports are largely effected by Russia, the US, Bulgaria and China. It is also reported by the Italian steel producers' association Federacciai that Italian exports into other EU communities also increased by 14% in the January-April period, reaching a total of 3.25 million tons. Imports of flat products account for a 2.32 million tons of this tonnage.