DoC: U.S. steel imports edge down MoM in September

The slight decline in overall import volumes masked divergent trends across product categories, with imports of several flat steel products and oil country tubular goods increasing while those of some semi-finished and tubular products fell.

By product, U.S. steel imports declined notably in blooms, billets and slabs, hot rolled sheets, and standard pipe, while those of oil country goods, cold rolled sheets, and other metal-coated sheets and strips increased.

U.S. imports of blooms, billets and slabs fell by 6.9% month on month to 681,547 tonnes in September. Hot rolled sheet imports dropped significantly by 19.6% to 110,547 tonnes, while those of standard pipe slumped by 37.5% to 45,415 tonnes, DOC data shows.

In contrast, imports of oil country goods jumped by 28.2% month on month to 146,987 tonnes. Cold rolled sheet imports leapt by 35.4% to 119,299 tonnes, while those of other metal-coated sheets and strips surged by 46.7% to 85,111 tonnes.

By source, U.S. steel imports decreased notably from Indonesia, Canada and Russia, while shipments from Korea, Taiwan and Japan increased.

Imports from Indonesia plunged by 75.3% month on month to 22,990 tonnes, while those from Canada fell by 13.5% to 232,014 tonnes. Imports from Russia fell to negligible levels in September, compared with 24,208 tonnes in August.

In contrast, imports from Korea increased remarkably by 21.3% month on month to 471,878 tonnes. Those from Taiwan skyrocketed by 185.8% to 120,998 tonnes, while shipments from Japan increased by 60.3% to 149,511 tonnes.

The figures indicate a shift in the composition of U.S. steel imports in September, with increased shipments from Northeast Asian suppliers partly offsetting declines from other sources.

Written by Tiffany Hou, houtianhui@mysteel.com

Edited by Russ McCulloch, russ.mcculloch@mysteel.com