24 avril 2008
Steel imports creep up 1% in March
Steel imports remained low again in March at 2.51 million tons, increasing only 1.2% from February’s 2.48 million tons. While buyers are gagging over 2008 prices, domestic transactions remain lower than international prices and that is keeping foreign-made steel out of the U.S. marketplace.
According to year-to-date figures, imports have decreased 11.5% compared to 2007—or from 8.66 million tons in 2007 to 7.66 million tons in 2008. First-quarter imports are down 12% from Japan, 53% from Brazil, 59% from Russia, 29% from South Africa and 41% from China.
An analysis of Census Bureau data shows that products showing increases versus the same period in 2007 were line pipe (up 43%), oil country goods (up 14%) and such heavy structural shapes as wide-flange beams (up 9%). A review of the data by the American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) suggests that import arrivals in March were ordered from nations other that Mexico or Canada late in 2007.
“With the recent surprising run up in prices, those who received imports in March probably are benefiting by having missed some of the price increases,” says David Phelps, president of AIIS in a statement. Based on Purchasingdata.com statistics, steel prices in March were 16% higher than the fourth quarter of last year. Total steel imports in March were 17.4% below those of March 2007.
Looking ahead, independent analyst Michelle Applebaum expects imports to be up in April but suggests that “strong global prices, a weakening dollar and disciplined inventory management by service centers will lead to fewer imports into the U.S. during the summer months.” Analyst Timna Tanners at UBS Investment Research agrees that “importers continue to see limited import activity to the U.S. over the next few months.”
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I am surprised you updated information here regularly. Good work!
P.S. the french makes me lost.
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