July 2004

Steel Imports for April Up .27 Percent from March 2004

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of April 2004 show that steel imports increased 0.27 percent from March 2004 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products                                    
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in April 2004 increased 0.27 percent compared to March 2004. The increase in April’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in reinforcing bars, plates in coils, and standard pipe. April 2004 imports of finished steel products increased 5.7 percent compared to March 2004, and imports of semi-finished steel fell 21.5 percent.

April 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 33 percent compared to April 2003. April 2004 imports of finished steel was up 36.6 percent compared to April 2003, and semi-finished steel products were also up 16.6 percent compared to April 2003.

January to April 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 10.6 percent compared to the same period in 2003. January to April 2004 imports of finished steel were up 9.1 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel are up 16.5 percent.  

Hot-Rolled Steel
April 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 7.7 percent from their March 2004 levels and were up 25.9 percent compared to April 2003 levels. January to April 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel were down 8.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
April 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 9.9 percent compared to March 2004 levels and were down 11.5 percent compared to April 2003 levels. January to April 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 24.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
April 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 8.7 percent compared to March 2004. April 2004 imports were up 28.4 percent compared to April 2003.  January to April 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate were up 4.3 percent compared to the same period last year.   

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
April 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 13.9 percent compared to March 2004.  April 2004 imports of these products were up 17.6 percent compared to April 2003.  January to April 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were down 23.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
April 2004 imports of wire rod decreased 18.9 percent compared to March 2004 levels and were up 88.8 percent compared to April 2003 levels. January to April 2004 imports of wire rod were up 61.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
April 2004 imports of heavy structurals decreased 5 percent from their March 2004 level and were up 19.9 percent compared to April 2003 levels. January to April 2004 imports of heavy structurals were up 26.9 percent compared to the same period last year.  

Rebar
April 2004 imports of rebar increased 106 percent compared to March 2004.   April 2004 imports of these products were up 444.3 percent compared to April 2003.   January to April 2004 imports of rebar were up 78.7% percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
April 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 2 percent compared to March 2004 and increased 46.3 percent compared to April 2003 levels. January to April 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were up 18.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
April 2004 imports of standard pipe increased 45.8 percent compared to March 2004. April 2004 imports of these products increased 37 percent compared to April 2003, and January to April 2004 imports of standard pipe were up 13.2% percent compared to the same period last year.  

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
April 2004 imports of OCTG increased 48.9 percent compared to March 2004. April 2004 imports of these products were up 45.2 percent compared to April 2003.  January to April 2004 imports of OCTG were up 59.2 percent compared to the same period last year.  

Semi-Finished Steel
April 2004 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 21.5 percent compared to March 2004 and were up 16.6 percent compared to April 2003 levels.   January to April 2004 imports of semi-finished steel were up 16.5 percent compared to the same period last year.