[Ferro-Alloys.com]

 

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,237,000 net tons (NT) of steel in September 2022, including 1,858,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 10.9% and 10.8%, respectively, vs. August 2022). Total and finished steel imports are up 4.4% and 22.5%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2021. Over the 12-month period October 2021 to September 2022, total and finished steel imports are up 17.9% and 33.0%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in September and is estimated at 24% over the first nine months of 2022.

 

Key steel products with a significant import increase in September compared to August are line pipe (up 63%) and standard pipe (up 19%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period October 2021 to September 2022 compared to the previous 12-month period include oil country goods (up 70%), wire rods (up 63%), plates in coils (up 47%), line pipe (up 47%) and standard pipe (up 46%).

 

In September, the largest suppliers were Canada (539,000 NT, down 8% vs. August), Mexico (316,000 NT, down 35%), South Korea (305,000 NT, up 72%), Brazil (188,000 NT, up 7%) and Taiwan, China (102,000 NT, up 24%). Over the 12-month period October 2021 to September 2022, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,924,000 NT, up 5% vs. compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,679,000 NT, up 40%), South Korea (2,915,000 NT, up 13%), Brazil (2,750,000 NT, down 30%) and Vietnam (1,266,000 NT, up 128%). AISI