Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 39% from 392,000 short tons in February to 546,000 tons in March. Long products imports for the first three months of 2017 were 3% higher than in the same period last year with rebar increasing the most (10%) and parallel flange sections showing the largest decline (-31%).
The increase between February and March (bearing in mind the longer March month) was mainly due to higher rebar imports from Turkey, though rebar imports from Portugal and Vietnam also rose. Wire rod imports also rose significantly month-on-month due to higher imports from Turkey, Canada, and Japan.
SIMA US long products import licenses and actuals
2012 to 2017
short tons
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Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 7% from 719,000 short tons in February to 772,000 tons in March. Flat products imports for the first three months of 2017 were 10% lower than in the same period last year with cut plate and hot roll imports falling significantly (by 53% and 38% respectively) but cold roll and hot dip galvanized imports rising (by 43% and 23% respectively).
The increase in flats imports between February and March was mainly due to higher hot rolled imports from Japan and Canada.
SIMA US flat products imports licenses and actuals
January 2013 to March 2017
short tons
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Worldsteel reported Chinese crude steel production at 61.2 million metric tonnes in February, 4.6% higher than in February 2016, even though February 2016 was one day longer. China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in February were about 4.6 million tonnes, 35% lower than in February 2016.
China monthly crude steel production
January 2005 to February 2017, thousand metric tonnes
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Worldsteel published February’s world crude steel production yesterday. World crude steel output was 126.6 million metric tonnes, 4.1% higher than in February 2016, though February 2016 was one day longer.
China accounted for 48% of world output in February with production of 61.2 million tonnes, 4.6% up on February 2016. Asian crude production outside of China rose 6.4% led by an 8.9% increase in India and an 8.3% increase in South Korea. European Union production fell 0.6% while Turkish output rose 15.6%. In the Americas, US crude production fell 1.0% but Mexican output rose 7.0% and Brazilian production was up 5.7%.
All the data for February 2017 and for a number of prior years can be found in the Nerds spreadsheet below.
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Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 19% from 454,000 short tons in January to 366,000 tons in February. Long products imports in February 2016 were 431,000 tons and in February 2015 they were 446,000 tons. The drop between January and February was mainly due to lower rebar imports from Turkey, though rebar imports from Japan also fell significantly. Wire rod imports rose, however, with higher volumes from the Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
SIMA US long products import licenses and actuals
2012 to 2017
short tons
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