US import of specialty steel drops by 3% in 2003

US import of specialty steel drops by 3% in 2003

As per the data published by Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA), imports of total specialty steel products in US amounted to 663'906 tons in 2003 with a 3% decrease compared to 2002. Moreover, US specialty steel consumption also dropped by 2% to 2.6 million tons in the same period. In 2003, imports of stainless steel decreased by 7% to 495'724 tons while domestic consumption declined by 1% to 2.1 million tons. US imported 306'494 tons of stainless strip in 2003 with an increase of 3%. However, stainless strip consumption was down by 1% to 1.6 million tons. Imports of stainless steel plate were down by 8% to 51'994 tons while the consumption of product amounted to 283'334 tons, up by 13%. Imports of stainless rod and stainless steel bar decreased by 39% and 20% to 35'168 tons and 67'901 tons respectively.