October Steel Imports Increase Over September, Down Slightly from 2000

Washington, DC - Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of October 2001 show that steel imports increased 15.2 percent from September 2001 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products

The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in October 2001 increased 15.2 percent compared to September 2001. The increase in October's total amount of steel imports was due primarily to an increase in imports of semi-finished steel, hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, corrosion-resistant steel, and wire rod. October 2001 imports of finished steel products increased 7 percent compared to September 2001, while imports of semi-finished steel rose 51 percent.

October 2001 imports of steel mill products were down 3 percent compared to October 2000. October 2001 imports of finished steel were down 8 percent compared to October 2000, while semi-finished steel products were up 14 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of steel mill products were down 25 percent compared to the same period in 2000. January to October 2001 imports of finished steel were down 23 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were down 31 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel

October 2001 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 35 percent from their September 2001 levels and were down 40 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of hot-rolled steel were down 61 percent compared to the same period last year. These products were the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cold-Rolled Steel

October 2001 imports of cold-rolled steel increased 17 percent compared to September 2001 levels and were up 7 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 2 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cut-to-Length Plate

October 2001 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 18 percent compared to September 2001. October 2001 imports were down 2 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of cut-to-length plate were down 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel

October 2001 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 26 percent compared to September 2001. October 2001 imports of these products were up 11 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were down 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod

October 2001 imports of wire rod increased 17 percent compared to September 2001 levels and were up 38 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of wire rod were down 1 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Heavy Structurals

October 2001 imports of heavy structurals decreased 4 percent from their September 2001 level and were down 52 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of heavy structurals were down 52 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar

October 2001 imports of rebar fell 24 percent compared to September 2001. October 2001 imports of these products were up 152 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of rebar were down 4 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Hot-Rolled Bar

October 2001 imports of hot-rolled bar increased 8 percent compared to September 2001 and were down 15 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 21 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe

October 2001 imports of standard pipe decreased 3 percent compared to September 2001. October 2001 imports of these products were down 29 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of standard pipe were down 9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)

October 2001 imports of OCTG decreased 37 percent compared to September 2001. October 2001 imports of these products were down 34 percent compared to October 2000. January to October 2001 imports of OCTG were up 48 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel

October 2001 imports of semi-finished steel increased 51 percent compared to September 2001 and were up 14 percent compared to October 2000 levels. January to October 2001 imports of semi-finished steel were down 31 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.