Prices
May 6, 2021
Finished Steel Imports Jumped 24% in March
Written by Brett Linton
Final Census data shows that finished steel imports rose 24% from February to March, as more U.S. buyers sought relief from climbing domestic prices and limited supplies. March finished imports were just shy of 1.80 million tons, the highest level seen since August 2019. April finished steel import licenses are currently down 6% from March to 1.69 million tons, but up 17% over February figures.
Total March steel imports were 2.31 million tons, up 21% month-over-month. Total April import licenses are currently at 2.45 million tons as of data through May 3, up 6% from March and up 29% from February. Recall that the average monthly import level for 2020 was 1.84 million tons, down from 2.32 million tons in 2019 and 2.81 million tons in 2018.
