May 2004

February Steel Imports Decreased 17.7 Percent from January

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released shows that overall steel imports in February 2004 decreased 17.7 percent compared to January 2004. The decrease in February’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of blooms, billets, and slabs. February 2004 imports of finished steel products decreased 10.4 percent compared to January 2004, while imports of semi-finished steel decreased 36.7 percent.

February 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 15.2 percent compared to February 2003. February 2004 imports of finished steel were up 9.8 percent compared to February 2003, and semi-finished steel products were up 41.2 percent compared to February 2003. January to February 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 2.4 percent compared to the same period in 2003. January to February 2004 imports of finished steel were down 3.8 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel up 27.3 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel
February 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 19.6 percent from their January 2004 levels and down 10.6 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel were down 28.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
February 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 3.0 percent compared to January 2004 levels and decreased 30.0 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 34.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
February 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 3.3 percent compared to January 2004. February 2004 imports increased 30.7 percent compared to February 2003. January to February 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 8.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
February 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 7.2 percent compared to January 2004. February 2004 imports of these products decreased 41.8 percent compared to February 2003. January to February 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 50.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
February 2004 imports of wire rod decreased 26.6 percent compared to January 2004 levels and increased 168.9 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of wire rod increased 103.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
February 2004 imports of heavy structurals increased 59.8 percent from their January 2004 level and were up 111.2 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of heavy structurals were up 31.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
February 2004 imports of rebar increased 22.2 percent compared to January 2004. February 2004 imports of these products increased 108.0 percent compared to February 2003. January to February 2004 imports of rebar increased 33.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
February 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 22.3 percent compared to January 2004 and increased 14.1 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar increased 3.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
February 2004 imports of standard pipe increased 3.0 percent compared to January 2004. February 2004 imports of these products decreased 11.2 percent compared to February 2003, and January to February 2004 imports of standard pipe increased 1.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
February 2004 imports of OCTG decreased 51.5 percent compared to January 2004. February 2004 imports of these products increased 8.3 percent compared to February 2003. January to February 2004 imports of OCTG were up 84.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
February 2004 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 36.7 percent compared to January 2004 and increased 41.2 percent compared to February 2003 levels. January to February 2004 imports of semi-finished steel increased 27.3 percent compared to the same period last year.