Steel imports for February 2005 decreased by 11 percent from January

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of February 2005 show that steel imports decreased 11 percent from January 2005 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in February 2005 decreased 11 percent compared to January 2005. The change in February’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in hot-rolled sheets, cold-rolled sheets, and hot dipped galvanized sheets. February 2005 imports of finished steel products decreased 11 percent compared to January 2005, while imports of semi-finished steel increased 12 percent.

February 2005 imports of steel mill products were up 20 percent compared to February 2004. February 2005 imports of finished steel were up 12 percent compared to February 2004, while semi-finished steel products increased 52 percent compared to February 2004.

Hot-Rolled Steel
February 2005 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 31 percent from their January 2005 levels but were up 35 percent compared to February 2004 levels.

Cold-Rolled Steel
February 2005 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 22 percent compared to January 2005 levels and were up 54 percent compared to February 2004 levels.

Cut-to-Length Plate
February 2005 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 69 percent compared to January 2005. February 2005 imports were up 56 percent compared to February 2004.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
February 2005 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 23 percent compared to January 2005. February 2005 imports of these products were up 79 percent compared to February 2004.

Wire Rod
February 2005 imports of wire rod decreased 17 percent compared to January 2005 levels and were down 77 percent compared to February 2004 levels.

Heavy Structurals
February 2005 imports of heavy structurals decreased 42 percent from their January 2005 level and were down 45 percent compared to February 2004 levels.

Rebar
February 2005 imports of rebar increased 81 percent compared to January 2005. February 2005 imports of these products were down 21 percent.

Hot-Rolled Bar
February 2005 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 8 percent compared to January 2005 and were down 2 percent compared to February 2004 levels.

Standard Pipe
February 2005 imports of standard pipe decreased 18 percent compared to January 2005. February 2005 imports of these products were up 3 percent compared to February 2004.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
February 2005 imports of OCTG increased 8 percent compared to January 2004. February 2005 imports of these products were up 136 percent compared to February 2004.

Semi-Finished Steel
February 2005 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 12 percent compared to January 2005 but were up 52 percent compared to February 2004 levels. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.