[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 2,318,000 net tons (NT) of steel in May 2023, including 1,869,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 2.6% and 3.3%, respectively, vs. April 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 12.5% and 15.7%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period June 2022 to May 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 13.5% and 9.7%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 21% in May and is estimated at 22% over the first five months of 2023.

 

Key steel products with a significant import increase in May compared to April are cold rolled sheets (up 63%), cut length plates (up 59%), sheet and strip hot dipped galvanized (up 30%), tin plate (up 22%) and hot rolled sheets (up 19%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period June 2022 to May 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 36%), oil country goods (up 35%), heavy structural shapes (up 14%) and standard pipe (up 13%).

 

In May, the largest suppliers were Canada (628,000 NT, up 6% vs. April), Mexico (282,000 NT, down 20%), Brazil (239,000 NT, up 12%), South Korea (219,000 NT, up 30%) and Germany (103,000 NT, down 4%). Over the 12-month period June 2022 to May 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,929,000 NT, down 1% compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (4,777,000 NT, down 13%), Brazil (2,871,000 NT, down 18%), South Korea (2,574,000 NT, down 10%) and Japan (1,294,000 NT, up 11%). AISI