---

November 2004

August Steel Imports Increased 9 Percent

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of August 2004 show that steel imports increased 9 percent from July 2004 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in August 2004 increased 9 percent compared to July 2004. The increase in August’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of blooms, billets and slabs, reinforcing bars, standard pipe, and hot-rolled sheets. August 2004 imports of semi-finished steel products increased 24 percent compared to July 2004, and imports of hot-rolled steel increased by 9 percent.

August 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 95 percent compared to August 2003. August 2004 imports of finished steel were up 92 percent compared to August 2003, while semi-finished steel products were up 112 percent compared to August 2003. January to August 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 40 percent compared to the same period in 2003. January to August 2004 imports of finished steel were up 40 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were up 42 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel
August 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 9 percent from their July 2004 levels and were up 185 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel were up 49 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
August 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were up 18 percent compared to July 2004 levels and were up 186 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were up 43 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
August 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 4 percent compared to July 2004. August 2004 imports were up 137 percent compared to August 2003. January to August 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate were up 44 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
August 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 5 percent compared to July 2004. August 2004 imports of these products were up 189 percent compared to August 2003. January to August 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were up 38 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
August 2004 imports of wire rod decreased 15 percent compared to July 2004 levels, and were up 64 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of wire rod were up 73 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
August 2004 imports of heavy structurals decreased 2 percent from their July 2004 level and were down 19 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of heavy structurals were up 23 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
August 2004 imports of rebar were up 17 percent compared to July 2004. August 2003 imports of these products were up 101 percent compared to August 2003. January to August 2004 imports of rebar were up 104 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
August 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 4 percent compared to July 2004 and were up 24 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were up17 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
August 2004 imports of standard pipe increased 43 percent compared to July 2004. August 2004 imports of these products were up 94 percent compared to August 2003, and January to August 2004 imports of standard pipe were up 32 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods
August 2004 imports of OCTG decreased 19 percent compared to July 2004. August 2004 imports of these products were up 28 percent compared to August 2003. January to August 2004 imports of OCTG were up 40 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
August 2004 imports of semi-finished steel increased 24 percent compared to July 2004 and were up 112 percent compared to August 2003 levels. January to August 2004 imports of semi-finished steel were up 42 percent compared to the same period last year.