Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports climbed 27% from 166,000 short tons in January to 210,000 tons in February. Long products imports in February 2009 were 115,000 tons and in February 2008 they were 330,000 tons.
Wire rod and rebar showed the biggest gains. Wire rod imports in February were 38,000 tons higher than in January, a 48% increase, with Turkey and Italy showing significantly higher volumes. Rebar imports in February were 27,000 tons higher than in January, a 109% increase, with Turkey again accounting for a big part of the increase.
Import licenses reported up to March 16th were 145,000 tons which indicates that full-month March imports should show a significant rise over February. Wire rod license applications in particular are high, with another strong rise from Turkey.