Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of February 2003 show that steel imports decreased 34.6 percent from January 2003 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products

The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in February 2003 decreased 34.6 percent compared to January 2003. The decrease in February's total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of blooms, billets, and slabs; hot rolled sheets; and wire rods. February 2003 imports of finished steel products decreased 51 percent compared to January 2003, while imports of semi-finished steel decreased 74.5 percent.

February 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 51 percent compared to February 2002. February 2003 imports of finished steel were down 39.4 percent compared to February 2002, and semi-finished steel products were down 74.5 percent compared to February 2002. January to February 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 34.6 percent compared to the same period in 2002. January to February 2003 imports of finished steel were down 31 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel down 47.7 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel

February 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 44.8 percent from their January 2003 levels and down 36.5 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel were up 7.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel

February 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 17 percent compared to January 2003 levels and decreased 27.4 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 26.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate

February 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 30 percent compared to January 2003. February 2003 imports decreased 54.1 percent compared to February 2002. January to February 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 47.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel

February 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 22.6 percent compared to January 2003. February 2003 imports of these products decreased 27.1 percent compared to February 2002. January to February 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 10.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod

February 2003 imports of wire rod decreased 52.8 percent compared to January 2003 levels and decreased 38.2 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of wire rod decreased 22.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals

February 2003 imports of heavy structurals decreased 37.8 percent from their January 2003 level and were down 33 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of heavy structurals were down 34.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar

February 2003 imports of rebar decreased 46.1 percent compared to January 2003. February 2003 imports of these products decreased 81.6 percent compared to February 2002. January to February 2003 imports of rebar decreased 64.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar

February 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 35.6 percent compared to January 2003 and decreased 30.7 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 8.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe

February 2003 imports of standard pipe increased 35.7 percent compared to January 2003. February 2003 imports of these products decreased 31 percent compared to February 2002, and January to February 2003 imports of standard pipe decreased 35 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods

February 2003 imports of OCTG increased 8.7 percent compared to January 2003. February 2003 imports of these products increased 31.5 percent compared to February 2002. January to February 2003 imports of OCTG were down 16.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel

February 2003 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 47.7 percent compared to January 2003 and decreased 74.5 percent compared to February 2002 levels. January to February 2003 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 54.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.