US steel imports fell in 2022

Market: Metals, Pipe and tube
23/02/23

US steel import volumes fell in 2022, led by declines in semi-finished and flat steel products.

Total imports of steel products for consumption fell to 28.01mn metric tonnes (t) in 2022, a 2pc decline compared with 2021, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Certain products posted disproportionate declines. Imports of blooms, billets and slabs were down by 36pc to 5.05mn t, a drop of more than 2.8mn t.

HRC imports fell by 19pc to 2.25mn t, while hot dipped galvanized (HDG) coil imports fell by 4.7pc to 2.54mn t.

Imports of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) were one of the few to significant rise, with imports jumping by 44pc to 2.42mn t, driven by higher oil and pipe prices. Line pipe imports jumped by 47pc to 1.02mn t across the various widths reported by the government.

Cold rolled coil (CRC) imports increased by 22pc to 1.97mn t.

By Rye Druzin

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