Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports declined 6% from 423,000 short tons in November to 399,000 tons in December. This can be compared to 474,000 tons of flat products imports in December 2008.
The reduction in imports was driven by a 22% drop in hot roll imports, due basically to lower volumes from Korea, Canada, and the Netherlands. Imports of all other products grew with cut plate imports in particular growing by 38%.
January flat products import licenses reported up to January 19th were 226,000 tons which is likely to mean that full-month imports will be slightly higher than December’s.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Is there current information regarding the U.S. steel slab market?
There is some information about US slab trade in the Steel Business Briefing report published 30 September 2008 entitled “SBB Insight: Merchant slab quiet; growth under review”. You can find this report at http://www.steelbb.com/insight/ but it requires subscription. If you are interested in US trade but need more up-to-date data you can contact ISSB at http://www.issb.co.uk.