Steel Imports Down 17% In November vs. October

December 28, 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 2,006,000 net tons (NT) of steel in November 2022, including 1,758,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 17.0% and 10.7%, respectively, vs. October 2022). Total and finished steel imports are up 0.2% and 14.1%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2021. Over the 12-month period December 2021 to November 2022, total and finished steel imports are up 4.8% and 17.4%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in November and is estimated at 24% over the first eleven months of 2022.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in November compared to October are oil country goods (up 35%) and plates in coils (up 11%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period December 2021 to November 2022 compared to the previous 12-month period include standard pipe (up 52%), oil country goods (up 48%), heavy structural shapes (up 43%), line pipe (up 41%) and wire rods (up 40%).

In November, the largest suppliers were Canada (525,000 NT, down 6% vs. October), Mexico (250,000 NT, down 41%), Brazil (145,000 NT, down 28%), South Korea (139,000 NT, down 31%) and Germany (118,000 NT, up 10%). Over the 12-month period December 2021 to November 2022, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,890,000 NT, no change compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,440,000 NT, up 22%), South Korea (2,825,000 NT, up 4%), Brazil (2,772,000 NT, down 33%) and Japan (1,216,000 NT, up 14%). 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.