U.S. STEEL IMPORTS DECLINE TO 2.2 MILLION TONNES IN FEBRUARY

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported  that the U.S. imported a total of 2,212,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2016, including 2,079,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 16.5% and 6.7%, respectively, vs. January final data).

Year-todate (YTD) through two months of 2016 total and finished steel imports are 4,860,000 and 4,307,000 net tons (NT), respectively, down 40% and 34% respectively, vs. the same period in 2015.

Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2016 would be 29.2 and 25.8 million NT, down 25% and 18% respectively vs. 2015.

Finished steel import market share was an estimated 26% in February and is estimated at 26% YTD.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in February compared to January are reinforcing bars (up 32%), tin plate (up 53%), structural pipe and tubing (up 12%) and sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 11%)