Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports declined 23% from 350,000 short tons in May to 270,000 tons in June. This compares to flat products imports of 816,000 tons in September 2008 when we started collecting flat products license data.
Hot dip galvanized imports showed the largest decline at 28% falling to 63,000 tons. Cut plate imports fell by 23% to 21,000 tons, hot roll imports dropped by 22% to 136,000 tons, and cold roll imports declined 20% to 49,000 tons.
Licenses reported up to 14 July indicate that full month July results will be even lower than June’s.
