US long products imports rise 26% in August

by Jessica Wagner on September 18, 2009

in Data,Geography,Nerds Only,Products & Markets

Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 26% from 104,000 short tons in July to 131,000 tons in August. This is the highest level since March 2009 when long products imports were 168,000 tons, but it is below August 2008 imports of 232,000 tons.

Wire rod imports increased 121% from 33,000 tons to 73,000 tons, due to increases mainly from Italy, Brazil, and Venezuela. All other structural shapes imports also showed a sharp 118% rise from 4,742 tons to 10,343 tons, but a large part of this rise was Luxembourg and UK sheet piling coming back into the market after no imports were registered in July. In contrast, rebar and lights shapes imports dropped by 35% and 70% respectively.

License reported up to September 15th were 64,000 tons which indicates that long products imports will stay at about August levels for the full month of September.