US’ steel imports decline in Apr

According to preliminary Census Bureau data, US steel imports totaled 2.073 million net tons in April, with finished steel accounting for 1.607 million net tons. These figures represented a month-on-month decrease of 17.1% and 11.8%, respectively.

In the first four months of this year, total steel imports and finished steel imports dropped by 4.4% and 5.1% compared to the corresponding period a year ago.

In April, finished steel’s import market share was an estimated 20%, and it was estimated to be 22% in the first four months of this year.

Significant increases in April imports included tin plate (up by 43% month on month) and oil country goods (up by 26% month on month). Canada (433,000 net tons, down by 13% month on month), Brazil (299,000 net tons, down by 30% month on month), and South Korea (185,000 net tons, down by 27% month on month) were the top three suppliers in April.