Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,729,000 net tons (NT) of steel in April 2022, including 2,264,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 11.7% and 9.4%, respectively, vs. March 2022). Total and finished steel imports are up 21.0% and 45.1%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2021. Over the 12-month period May 2021 to April 2022, total and finished steel imports are up 51.3% and 55.3%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 27% in April and is estimated at 25% over the first four months of 2022.

 

Key steel products with a significant import increase in April compared to March are tin plate (up 28.9%) and cut lengths plates (up 22.5%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period May 2021 to April 2022 compared to the previous 12-month period include oil country goods (up 118%), wire rods (up 117%), plates in coils (up 81%), hot rolled sheets (up 78%) and cold rolled sheets (up 76%).

 

In April, the largest suppliers were Canada (613,000 NT, down 6% vs. March), Mexico (395,000 NT, down 27%), South Korea (250,000 NT, down 22%), Brazil (241,000 NT, down 31%) and Vietnam (121,000 NT, down 28%). Over the 12-month period May 2021 to April 2022, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,970,000 NT, up 25% vs. compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,342,000 NT, up 58%), Brazil (3,690,000 NT, up 8%), South Korea (2,828,000 NT, up 30%) and Russia (1,637,000 NT, up 290%).