October 2003

Steel Imports for July 2003 Increased 17 Percent from June

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of July 2003 show that steel imports increased 17 percent from June 2003 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in July 2003 increased 17 percent compared to June 2003. The increase in July’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to an increase in imports of blooms, billets, and slabs. July 2003 imports of finished steel products increased 5 percent compared to June 2003, and imports of semi-finished steel rose 73 percent.

July 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 35 percent compared July 2002. July 2003 imports of finished steel were down 31 percent compared to July 2002, while semi-finished steel products were down 43 percent compared to July 2002. January to July 2003 imports of steel mill products were down 23 percent compared to the same period in 2002. January to July 2003 imports of finished steel were down 14 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel were down 43 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel
July 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 56 percent from their June 2003 levels and were up 17 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 17 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cold-Rolled Steel
July 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 43 percent compared to June 2003 levels and were down 63 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of cold-rolled steel were down 18 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cut-to-Length Plate
July 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate increased 25 percent compared to June 2003. July 2003 imports increased 11 percent compared to July 2002. January to July 2003 imports of cut-to-length plate were down 23 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
July 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 12 percent compared to June 2003. July 2003 imports of these products were down 33 percent compared to July 2002. January to July 2003 imports of corrosion-resistant steel were up 3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod
July 2003 imports of wire rod increased 11 percent compared to June 2003 levels, and were down 24 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of wire rod were down 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Heavy Structurals
July 2003 imports of heavy structurals increased 9 percent from their June 2003 level and were down 24 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of heavy structurals were down 34 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar
July 2003 imports of rebar rose 15 percent compared to June 2003. July 2003 imports of these products were down 42 percent compared to July 2002. January to July 2003 imports of rebar were down 43 percent compared to the same period last year.

Hot-Rolled Bar
July 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 5 percent compared to June 2003 and decreased 22 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of hot-rolled bar were down 5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe
July 2003 imports of standard pipe increased 23 percent compared to June 2003. July 2003 imports of these products were down 9 percent compared to July 2002, and January to July 2003 imports of standard pipe were down 12 percent compared to the same period last year.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
July 2003 imports of OCTG increased 4 percent compared to June 2003. July 2003 imports of these products were increased 34 percent compared to July 2002. January to July 2003 imports of OCTG increased 42 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel
July 2003 imports of semi-finished steel increased 72 percent compared to June 2003 and were down 43 percent compared to July 2002 levels. January to July 2003 imports of semi-finished steel were down 43 percent compared to the same period last year.