Based on reported import licenses and after a 20% fall in November, US long products imports rose 56% from 116,000 short tons in November to 181,000 tons in December. December imports in 2010 were 171,000 tons, in 2009 166,000 tons, in 2008 178,000 tons, and in 2007 207,000 tons.
Rebar and wire rod imports drove the overall rise. Rebar imports doubled to 72,000 tons due to rising imports from Turkey and wire rod imports increased by 52% due to higher imports from Canada, Brazil, the UK, Spain, and Germany.
January import licenses reported up to January 17th were 164,000 tons which is likely to mean that full-month January imports will be significantly higher than December’s.