US imports in December up by 1pct MoM - AIIS

Monday, 07 Feb 2011
Based on preliminary import data released by the government, imports increased slightly in December 2010 by 1.4% as compared to November 2010.
Mr David Phelps president of American Institute for International Steel said that "Stronger market conditions at the end of the year in the US are reflected in the increase in December of arrivals of semi finished steel products for conversion by domestic mills. This optimistic development also coincides with improved pricing and lengthening lead times for the domestic industry at the end of 2010."

For the full year, imports increased 47.2% over the recession year 2009.
Mr Phelps said that "Going forward, current market conditions appear to increase the reasons for optimism for early 2011 for imports, domestic shipments and based on reports associated with international conditions, for exports."
Total steel imports in December 2010 were 1.811 million tonnes as compared to 1.796 million tonnes in November 2010, a 1.4% increase, and a 28.4% increase compared to December 2009.

According to YTD figures, imports increased 47.2% compared to 2009 or from 16.2 million tonnes in 2009 to 23.9 million tonnes in 2010. The data show that imported semi finished products increased from 278 thousand tons in December 2009 to 365,000 tonnes in December 2010, a 31.5% increase.
For the YTD period, semi finished imports increased from 2.036 million tonnes in 2009 to 5.068 million tonnes in 2010, a 148.9% increase, based on preliminary reporting.