January 2004

Steel Imports Decrease 9 Percent from September

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of October 2003 show that steel imports decreased 9 percent from September 2003 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in October 2003 decreased 9 percent compared to September 2003. The decrease in October’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of wire rod; blooms, billets, and slabs; and hot rolled sheets. October 2003 imports of finished steel products decreased 8 percent compared to September 2003, while imports of semi-finished steel decreased 15 percent.

October 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 44 percent compared to October 2002. October 2003 imports of finished steel were down 34 percent compared to October 2002, while semi-finished steel products were down 66 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 29 percent compared to the same period in 2002.

Hot-Rolled Steel
October 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 24 percent from their September 2003 levels and were down 62 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel were down 33 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
October 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel increased 21 percent compared to September 2003 levels and were down 37 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 24 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
October 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 19 percent compared to September 2003. October 2003 imports were down 25 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate were down 29 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
October 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 7 percent compared to September 2003. October 2003 imports were down 54 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were down 16 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
October 2003 imports of wire rod decreased 35 percent compared to September 2003 levels and were down 40 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of wire rod were down 38 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
October 2003 imports of heavy structurals increased 31 percent from their September 2003 level and were up 3 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of heavy structurals were down 29 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
October 2003 imports of rebar fell 13 percent compared to September 2003. October 2002 imports of these products were up 73 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of rebar were down 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
October 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar increased 14 percent compared to September 2003 and were down 18 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
October 2003 imports of standard pipe decreased 14 percent compared to September 2003. October 2003 imports of these products were down 27 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of standard pipe were down 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
October 2003 imports of OCTG increased 10 percent compared to September 2003. October 2003 imports of these products were up 34 percent compared to October 2002. January to October 2003 imports of OCTG were up 50 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
October 2003 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 15 percent compared to September 2003 and were down 66 percent compared to October 2002 levels. January to October 2003 imports of semi-finished steel were down 48 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.