AISI: U.S. Finished Steel Imports Posted Decline

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The total steel imports stood at 2.185 million net tons during the month of September this year, as per the most recent statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is modestly down by 4.1% when compared with the imports during the prior month. Also, the finished steel imports registered notable decline by 15.1% month-on-month to total 1.579 million net tons.

The finished steel product that reported highest surge in import volumes was hot rolled sheets, whose imports during September 2023 recorded nearly 49% jump over the prior month. The imports of ingots and billets and slabs too were up by 45%. The largest offshore suppliers during the month were Canada, Brazil Mexico, South Korea and Japan.

Over the 12-month period from October 2022 to September 2023, the total and finished steel imports were down by 12.4% and 15.4% respectively. The finished steel import market share was estimated at 20% in September and at 22% over the first nine months of the current year, noted AISI.

The products with significant year-to-date increases over the 12-month period from October 2022 to September 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period included line pipe and oil country goods, whose imports surged higher by 19% and 16% respectively. Also, imports of cut length plates were up by 16%.