2015 Apparent Steel Supply Down 10% Over 2014

According to the latest data released from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute, apparent steel supply for the month of December 2015 was 7,878,660 net tons. Apparent steel supply is calculated by adding domestic steel shipments and finished US steel imports and subtracting total US steel exports.

December supply represents a 2,142,044 ton or 21.4 percent decrease compared to the same month one year ago when apparent steel supply was 10,020,704 tons. This is attributed to a 1,421,968 ton or 17.8 percent drop in domestic shipments and a decline in finished imports of 923,073 tons or 31.1 percent. A decrease in total exports of 202,997 tons or 21.9 percent negated the change. The net trade balance between imports and exports was a surplus of 1,616,863 tons in December 2015, 1,091,984 tons or 40.3 percent less than that of December 2014. Foreign steel imports accounted for 26.0 percent of apparent steel supply, down 3.7 percent over the same month one year ago.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.