US steel imports decrease 15 percent in May 2005
The US Commerce Department reported that May 2005 steel imports decreased 15 percent from April 2005.
The change was due in large to decreases in blooms, billets, and slabs; hot rolled sheets; and cold rolled sheets.
Finished steel products decreased 11 percent while imports of semi-finished products fell 30 percent.
Year on year imports of steel mill products were down 12 percent; finished steel imports, 4 percent; and semi-finished decreased 37 percent.
The following is a comparison of select steel product imports for May 2005:
Product Change
Month on Month Year on Year
Hot-rolled -38 percent -35 percent
Cold-rolled -37 percent -43 percent
Wire rod +30 percent +1 percent
Rebar +44 percent -22 percent
Hot-rolled bar -15 percent +20 percent
Standard pipe -17 percent -3 percent
Semi-finished -30 percent -37 percent