American Recycler Newspaper

December 2004

Steel Imports Decreased 3 Percent from August 2004

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of September 2004 show that steel imports decreased 3 percent from August 2004 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released October 26 show that overall steel imports in September 2004 decreased 3 percent compared to August 2004. The decrease in September’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of reinforcing bars and standard pipe. September 2004 imports of semi-finished steel products increased 15 percent compared to August 2004, and imports of hot-rolled steel increased by 0.3 percent.

September 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 85 percent compared to September 2003. September 2004 imports of finished steel were up 81 percent compared to September 2003, while semi-finished steel products were up 100 percent compared to September 2003. January to September 2004 imports of steel mill products were up 46 percent compared to the same period in 2003. January to September 2004 imports of finished steel were up 46 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were up 48 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel
September 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 0.3 percent from their August 2004 levels and were up 140 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of hot-rolled steel were up 61 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
September 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 7 percent compared to August 2004 levels and were up 170 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of cold-rolled steel were up 54 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
September 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 28 percent compared to August 2004. September 2004 imports were up 79 percent compared to September 2003. January to September 2004 imports of cut-to-length plate were up 48 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
September 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 9 percent compared to August 2004. September 2004 imports of these products were up 160 percent compared to September 2003. January to September 2004 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were up 49 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
September 2004 imports of wire rod increased 20 percent compared to August 2004 levels, and were up 74 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of wire rod were up 76 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
September 2004 imports of heavy structurals decreased 13 percent from their August 2004 level and were up 16 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of heavy structurals were up 23 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
September 2004 imports of rebar were down 30 percent compared to August 2004. September 2004 imports of these products were up 95 percent compared to September 2003. January to September 2004 imports of rebar were up 103 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
September 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 7 percent compared to August 2004 and were up 21 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of hot-rolled bar were up 17 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
September 2004 imports of standard pipe decreased 41 percent compared to August 2004. September 2004 imports of these products were up 13 percent compared to September 2003, and January to September 2004 imports of standard pipe were up 31 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
September 2004 imports of OCTG increased 46 percent compared to August 2004. September 2004 imports of these products were up 66 percent compared to September 2003. January to September 2004 imports of OCTG were up 45 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
September 2004 imports of semi-finished steel increased 15 percent compared to August 2004 and were up 100 percent compared to September 2003 levels. January to September 2004 imports of semi-finished steel were up 48 percent compared to the same period last year.