Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports declined 9% from 236,000 short tons in May to 214,000 tons in June. This can be compared to long products imports of 105,000 tons in June 2009, 269,000 tons in June 2008 and 496,000 tons in June 2007.
The decline was driven by lower wire rod imports, which dropped by 27,000 tons, and by parallel flange sections imports, which dropped by 17,000 tons. Rebar imports, on the other hand, increased by 25,000 tons.
Import licenses for July reported up to July 20th were 151,000 tons which indicates that full-month July imports should be slightly higher than June at about the same level as May 2010.