Imports' Share of Sheet and Plate Markets Up Again in September

Imports of less-expensive sheet and plate products have been on the rise for the past five months as buyers continue to seek relief from record-high steel prices in the U.S. September Commerce Department data show imports’ share of the U.S. flat-products markets at their highest levels in the past 4-5 years.

Imports’ share of total sheet product shipments into the U.S. was 19.2% in September, up from 17.5% the month prior and its highest mark in nearly four years. Market share of plate product imports rose to 26.8% in September versus 21.1% the month prior, and the top mark in five years.

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.