Steel Products
2012 Imports Projected to be 17% Higher than 2011
Written by John Packard
January 28, 2013
Based on the most recent data released by the Department of Commerce projects 2012 total steel imports to be 33,347,611 net tons – this represents an increase of just shy 17 percent versus the 28,515,247 net tons imported into the U.S. during 2011. Galvanized tonnage was up by 36 percent, Galvalume by 22 percent, cold rolled by 20 percent and semi-finished by slightly more than 14 percent. Hot rolled imports increased by slightly less than 4 percent.
To get a better view of imports take a look at the chart below and go back to 2008 which was the last year before the collapse of the economy. 2008 is the best year to compare 2012 imports.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
Steel caucus pushes US trade officials to maintain strong S232 program
The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus is pushing for US officials to maintain a robust Section 232 program as they negotiate trade deals with America's trading partners.
Active rig count declines in US, Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity slowed in the US and Canada this past week. An unfamiliar trend after both regions saw repeated gains of late.
Plate market buzzes with rumors of secret deals from mills
Carbon steel plate market participants suspect that this week’s modestly softer prices are the result of quietly negotiated prices between plate purchasers and mills.
HR Futures: Forward curve shifts lower, structure maintains
Scraping lower-quartile $800s on nearby futures is bringing limited trading ideas for CME hot-rolled coil (HRC) at present.
Nucor drops HR spot price to $865/ton
Nucor has lowered its hot-rolled (HR) spot price by another $10 per short ton (st) this week.