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    May 13, 2021

    March Import Market Share for Tubular and Long Products

    Written by David Schollaert

    This report examines the import share of tubular and long products shipments. Imports’ share of total tubular products rose to 46.2% in March, up from 44.6% in February. Despite a 30.7% surge in domestic tubular shipments month on month, imports were even stronger at 39.3% in March compared to February. Tubular imports fell consecutively in January and February, however, March’s total of 262,833 tons was the highest import level since June 2020. Long products import market share rose from 11.2% in February to 12.7% in March, while both imports and domestic shipments increased month on month.

    The import share of wire rod rose to 26.1% in March, up from 24.4% in February. OCTG saw its import share edge down to 55.1% in March, from 55.6% the month prior. An increase of 48.2% in OCTG imports month on month was offset by a 51.4% increase in domestic shipments. Mechanical tubing saw similar dynamics in March. Import market share edged down to 46.5% from 48.7% in February largely due to a surge of 39.3% in domestic shipments despite a rise of 27.3% of imports during the same period.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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