Steel Imports Down 6.2% In August vs. July

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 2,510,000 net tons (NT) of steel in August 2022, including 2,084,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 6.2% and 8.4%, respectively, vs. July 2022). Total and finished steel imports are up 8.8% and 28.7%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2021. Over the 12-month period September 2021 to August 2022, total and finished steel imports are up 28.8% and 42.3%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 23% in August and is estimated at 24% over the first eight months of 2022.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in August compared to July are heavy structural shapes (up 31%), sheets and strip hot dipped galvanized (up 29%), tin plate (up 21%), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 13%) and cold rolled sheets (up 13%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period September 2021 to August 2022 compared to the previous 12-month period include oil country goods (up 105%), wire rods (up 82%), cold rolled sheets (up 59%), plates in coils (up 58%) and line pipe (up 55%).

In August, the largest suppliers were Canada (589,000 NT, up 8% vs. July), Mexico (485,000 NT, up 5%), South Korea (177,000 NT, down 37%), Brazil (176,000 NT, down 30%) and Vietnam (107,000 NT, up 110%). Over the 12-month period September 2021 to August 2022, the largest suppliers were Canada (7,002,000 NT, up 9% vs. compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,776,000 NT, up 50%), Brazil (2,987,000 NT, down 16%), South Korea (2,903,000 NT, up 21%) and Vietnam (1,296,000 NT, up 160%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

Click here for the 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.