USA increased steel imports in February

In February, steel imports increased 1.4 percent from January this year, according to preliminary data released by the US government. During the first two months of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, steel imports increased by 25.9 percent.

At the end of 2013, steel demand in the United States increased compared to the beginning of this year, creating opportunities for importers at healthier levels in 2014. In addition, trading societies, port organizations and other related logistics services have benefited from a good start to this year.

With the arrival of the seasonally strong second quarter, associated with the start of the construction season, there are optimistic outlooks for 2014. Adding on the positive side is price announcements coming from in-house factories, which are indicative of positive market conditions.

The total volume of steel imports in February 2014 amounted to 3.250 million tons compared to 3.205 million tons in January 2014, an increase of 1.4 percent, and compared to February 2013 there was an increase of 29.6 percent. Imports increased from 5.125 million tonnes in the first two months of 2013 to 6.455 million tonnes in the same period in 2014, an increase of 25.9 percent.

The data show that imports of semi-finished products increased by 22.7 percent in February 2014 compared to February 2013 from 622 thousand tons to 763 thousand tons. Imported semi-finished products in the first two months of 2013 increased from 1.095 million tons to 1.27 million tons in the same period, up 39.5 percent.