Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 25% from 313,000 short tons in February to 385,000 tons in March. In comparison, long products imports in February in 2011 were 196,000 tons, in 2010 206,000 tons, in 2009 115,000 tons, and in 2008 330,000 tons.
The overall climb was driven by a 54,000-ton increase in rebar imports mainly due to higher imports from Turkey but also from Mexico. Imports of all other long products categories increased except light shapes and structural angles & channels.
April long products import licenses reported up to April 17th were 156,000 tons, which is likely to mean that full-month April imports will be lower than March’s.