Total U.S. finished steel imports declined

Data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) for June 2019 shows that the United States imported a total of 2.03 million tonnes of steel, including 1.71 million tonnes of finished steel, down 2.5% and 8.3 % respectively compared to the final data for May).

In the first six months of 2019, total and completed steel imports amounted to 15.6 million tonnes and 11.6 million tonnes, up 12.7% and 16.7%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2018.

The annual total and finished steel imports in 2019 are estimated at 31.2 million tonnes and 23.4 million tonnes, down 7.4% and 9.1% from 2018. The market share of finished steel imports in June was approximately 20% and is estimated at 21% compared to the first six months of 2019.

In terms of key finished steel products with a significant increase in imports in June compared to May, there were sheet metal (up 70%), mechanical tubes (up 14%) and wire rod (up 12%).

South Korean finished steel imports of 163,000 tonnes were down 44% from May, while Japanese imports fell 9%. Germany exported 100 tons of finished steel to the US in June, up 56%, while the Taiwanese shipped over 86,000 tons, up 7%. Volumes from Vietnam were down 3%. If you look at the same countries in the first six months of 2019, then there are exports of finished steel to the United States, then the story is as follows: South Korea was the leader, exporting 1.45 million tons, but this figure decreased by 17% compared to that the same period last year. Japan's indicator of 723 thousand tons decreased by 2%, while in Germany it fell by 7% to 617 thousand tons. Taiwan and Vietnam decreased by 7% and 16% from 522 thousand tons and 427 thousand tons, respectively.

The three leading import products include pipes, sheets and strips.