U.S. steel imports continue 2005 decline

U.S. steel imports continue 2005 decline

U.S. steel imports continue 2005 decline The US Commerce Department reported that June 2005 steel imports decreased 3 percent from May 2005. The change was due in large to decreases in wire rods; plates cut lengths; and hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip. Finished steel products decreased 5 percent while imports of semi-finished products fell 7 percent. Year-on-year imports of steel mill products were down 24 percent; finished steel imports, 22 percent; and semi-finished, 30 percent. The following is a comparison of select steel product imports for June 2005:

Product                          Change
                  Month on Month          Year on Year
Hot-rolled         19 percent               -39 percent
Cold-rolled         3 percent               -45 percent
Wire rod          -25 percent               -38 percent
Rebar              -9 percent               -45 percent
Hot-rolled bar     -4 percent                no change
Standard pipe      12 percent                -3 percent
Semi-finished       7 percent               -30 percent