Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 1% from 674,000 short tons in February to 683,000 tons in March. March flat products imports in 2012 were 660,000 tons, in 2011 621,000 tons, in 2010 640,000 tons, and in 2009 488,000 tons.
A rise of about 15% in hot roll and hot dip galvanized imports counteracted a 36% fall in cut plate imports and a 19% fall in cold rolled imports. An important part of the rise in hot roll imports came from Japan while cut plate imports fell significantly from Germany and France.
I will update the spreadsheet below to show mid-April licenses as soon as the next licenses are reported this week.
China crude steel production was 61.8 million metric tonnes in February, 11% higher than in February 2012. Comparing consecutive months, February production was 1.8 million tonnes lower than January production, most likely due to the Chinese New Year holidays. Chinese net finished steel exports in February were 3.3 million tonnes, 54% higher than in February 2012 but 13% lower than in January 2013.
Worldsteel published February’s global crude steel production on March 20th. World crude steel production was 123.3 million metric tonnes in February, 1.8% higher than in February 2012.
Compared to February 2012, Chinese production increased by 11% and Indian production by 3%. However, other Asian countries showed significantly lower production year-on-year with Japan down 3%, South Korea down 8% and Taiwan down 7%. Russian and US production each dropped by 12% between February 2012 and 2013 and EU27 production showed a 6% decline.
As usual, all the data for February 2013 (and for a number of prior years) is generously shared in the Nerds spreadsheet below.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 9% from 267,000 short tons in January to 241,000 tons in February. In comparison, February long products imports in 2012 were 313,000 tons, in 2011 196,000 tons, in 2010 206,000 tons, in 2009 115,000 tons, and in 2008 330,000 tons.
Rebar imports showed the highest decline due to lower volumes from Turkey. All Other Structural Sections (AOSS) and wire rod imports also contributed significantly to the overall drop.
It’s too early to report mid-March licenses but I will update the spreadsheet below as soon as the next figures are published.
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports increased 1% from 666,000 short tons in January to 673,000 tons in February. February flat products imports in 2012 were 720,000 tons, in 2011 440,000 tons, in 2010 444,000 tons, and in 2009 548,000 tons.
Cut plate imports in February almost doubled due to higher imports mainly from Germany and France, but imports of all other flat product categories declined. Hot dip galvanized imports in particular dropped by 15% due to lower tonnage from India, Canada, Korea, Mexico and China.
It is too early to report mid-March licenses but I will update the spreadsheet below at the first licenses reporting date after the middle of the month.
More financial results have been added to the Nerds of Steel earnings spreadsheet. Below are links to earning’s reports for three companies.
All three companies achieved similar EBITDA per ton in Q4: CMC $97, Gerdau $91, and Ternium $95. Among all of the companies we track, only Ternium and Gerdau recorded EBITDA per ton over $100 for the full year 2012 – Ternium was $133 for the year and Gerdau was $105.
