---

October 2004

Steel Imports for July Decreased 11 Percent from June 2004

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of July 2004 show that steel imports decreased 11 percent from June 2004 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in July 2004 decreased 11 percent compared to June 2004. The decrease in July’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to an decrease in imports of blooms, billets, and slabs. July 2004 imports of finished steel products decreased 4 percent compared to June 2004, and imports of semi-finished steel fell 37 percent.

July 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 43 percent compared July 2003. July 2004 imports of finished steel were up 66 percent compared to July 2003, while semi-finished steel products were down 19 percent compared to July 2003. January to July 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 32 percent compared to the same period in 2003. January to July 2004 imports of finished steel were up 33 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were up 32 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel
July 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 4 percent from their June 2004 levels and were up 121 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 34 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
July 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 8 percent compared to June 2004 levels and were up 143 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were up 28 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
July 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 47 percent compared to June 2004. July 2004 imports increased 95 percent compared to July 2003. January to July 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate were up 32 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
July 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 10 percent compared to June 2004. July 2004 imports of these products were up 140 percent compared to July 2003. January to July 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were up 22 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
July 2004 imports of wire rod decreased 6 percent compared to June 2004 levels, and were up 72 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of wire rod were up 74 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
July 2004 imports of heavy structurals decreased 31 percent from their June 2004 level and were up 27 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of heavy structurals were up 32 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
July 2004 imports of rebar fell 23 percent compared to June 2004. July 2004 imports of these products were up 42 percent compared to July 2003. January to July 2003 imports of rebar were up 98 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
July 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar increased 4 percent compared to June 2004 and increased 27 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were up 15 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
July 2004 imports of standard pipe decreased 6 percent compared to June 2004. July 2004 imports of these products were up 22 percent compared to July 2003, and January to July 2004 imports of standard pipe were up 23 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
July 2004 imports of OCTG decreased 16 percent compared to June 2004. July 2004 imports of these products were increased 10 percent compared to July 2003. January to July 2004 imports of OCTG increased 39 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
July 2004 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 37 percent compared to June 2004 and were down 19 percent compared to July 2003 levels. January to July 2004 imports of semi-finished steel were up 32 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.