Steel Imports Up 0.2% In May vs. April

June 24, 2022

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 24%

Washington, D.C. – Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 2,736,000 net tons (NT) of steel in May 2022, including 2,334,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 0.2% and 3.1%, respectively, vs. April 2022). Total and finished steel imports are up 18.4% and 40.8%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2021. Over the 12-month period June 2021 to May 2022, total and finished steel imports are up 47.5% and 55.0%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 25% in May and is estimated at 24% over the first five months of 2022.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in May compared to April are reinforcing bars (up 120%), standard pipe (up 46%), mechanical tubing (up 23%), hot rolled bars (up 20%) and hot rolled sheets (up 11%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period June 2021 to May 2022 compared to the previous 12-month period include oil country goods (up 135%), wire rods (up 120%), cold rolled sheets (up 79%), plates in coils (up 74%) and hot rolled sheets (up 68%).

In May, the largest suppliers were Canada (632,000 NT, up 3% vs. April), Mexico (482,000 NT, up 23%), South Korea (233,000 NT, down 7%), Turkey (155,000 NT, up 70%) and Brazil (128,000 NT, down 47%). Over the 12-month period June 2021 to May 2022, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,989,000 NT, up 19% vs. compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,514,000 NT, up 63%), Brazil (3,485,000 NT, down 6%), South Korea (2,782,000 NT, up 35%) and Russia (1,429,000 NT, up 149%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

Click here for full statistical report. 

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Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.