Steel Imports Up 20.3% In June vs. May

July 27, 2023

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 23%

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 2,791,000 net tons (NT) of steel in June 2023, including 1,991,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 20.3% and 6.4%, respectively, vs. May 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 10.7% and 14.9%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period July 2022 to June 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 13.5% and 9.3%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 23% in June and is estimated at 23% over the first six months of 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in June compared to May are reinforcing bars (up 172%), ingots and billets and slabs (up 79%), heavy structural shapes (up 63%), hot rolled sheets (up 45%) and line pipe (up 34%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period July 2022 to June 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 36%), oil country goods (up 31%), cut lengths plates (up 10%) and standard pipe (up 10%).

In June, the largest suppliers were Canada (628,000 NT, no change vs. May), Brazil (419,000 NT, up 75%), Mexico (417,000 NT, up 48%), South Korea (375,000 NT, up 71%) and China (114,000 NT, up 149%). Over the 12-month period July 2022 to June 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,923,000 NT, down 1% compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (4,673,000 NT, down 17%), Brazil (3,090,000 NT, down 8%), South Korea (2,649,000 NT, down 9%) and Japan (1,278,000 NT, up 13%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

Read the full statistical report here.

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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.