Steel imports for August 2005 decreased 12 percent from July

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of August 2005 show that steel imports decreased 12 percent from July 2005 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data show that overall steel imports in August 2005 decreased 12 percent compared to July 2005. The change in August’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to decreases in blooms, billets, and slabs; reinforcing bars; and wire rods. August 2005 imports of finished steel products decreased 4 percent compared to July 2005, while imports of semi-finished steel decreased 40 percent.

August 2005 imports of steel mill products were down 37 percent. August 2005 imports of finished steel were down 36 percent, while semi-finished steel products decreased 44 percent compared to August 2004.

Hot-Rolled Steel
August 2005 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 10 percent from their July 2005 levels and were down 59 percent compared to August 2004 levels.

Cold-Rolled Steel
August 2005 imports of cold-rolled steel increased 11 percent compared to July 2005 levels and were down 48 percent compared to August 2004 levels.

Cut-to-Length Plate
August 2005 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 15 percent compared to July 2005. August 2005 imports were down 36 percent.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
August 2005 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 34 percent compared to July 2005. August 2005 imports of these products were down 45 percent.

Wire Rod
August 2005 imports of wire rod decreased 31 percent compared to July 2005 levels and were down 48 percent compared to August 2004 levels.

Heavy Structurals
August 2005 imports of heavy structurals decreased 5 percent from their July 2005 level and were down 2 percent compared to August 2004 levels.

Rebar
August 2005 imports of rebar decreased 51 percent. August 2005 imports were down 64 percent.

Hot-Rolled Bar
August 2005 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 5 percent compared to July 2005 and were down 17 percent from August 2004 levels.

Standard Pipe
August 2005 imports of standard pipe increased 40 percent compared to July 2005. August 2005 imports of these products were down 25 percent compared to August 2004.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
August 2005 imports of OCTG increased 42 percent compared to July 2005. August 2005 imports of these products were up 120 percent compared to August 2004.

Semi-Finished Steel
August 2005 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 40 percent compared to July 2005 and were down 44 percent compared to August 2004 levels. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.