Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports dropped 7% from 856,000 short tons in June, 2022 to 799,000 tons in June, 2023. Hot dip galvanized imports fell by the highest volume with imports down from Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. In contrast, cut plate imports rose significantly due mainly to higher volumes from South Korea.
Flat products imports in the first six months of 2023 were 24% lower than in the same period last year with hot dip galvanized -32%, cold rolled -29%, hot rolled -21%, and cut plate +25%.
US flat products import licenses
January 2016 to June 2023
Short tons
“Steel Coil and Slab for Llanwern” June, 2003 by roger geach / Steel Coil and Slab for Llanwern from Wikimedia Commons
Worldsteel reported May crude steel production in China at 90.1 million metric tonnes, 7.3% lower than in May, 2022. Chinese production in the first five months of 2023 was 0.9% higher than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show May net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) rose 11% compared to May last year. Net finished steel exports in the first five months of 2023 were 59% higher than in the first five months of 2022.
Worldsteel published May, 2023 world crude steel production today. World crude steel output was 161.6 million metric tonnes, 5.1% lower than in May, 2022.
China produced 90.1 million tonnes in May, accounting for 56% of world output and declining 7.3% on May, 2022. World crude steel production outside of China fell 2.2% compared to last May. Significant changes outside China include increases in Russia (estimated +8.8%) and India (+4.1), and declines in Japan (-5.2%) and Turkey (-10.4%).
Crude steel production in the first five months of 2023 was approximately 2% lower than in the same period last year.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 54% from 524,000 short tons in May, 2022 to 241,000 tons last month. According to import licenses, rebar imports showed the highest volume decline compared to other product categories due to lower imports mainly from Turkey, but also from a number of countries including Algeria and Mexico. Wire rod imports also fell significantly from India, Malaysia, Mexico, Algeria, and Germany.
Long products imports in the first five months of 2023 were 30% lower than in the same period last year with wire rod showing the highest volume (-449kt) and percentage (-49%) decline.
US long products import licenses
January 2015 to May 2023
Short tons
100 meter long rail ready for loading at Baotou Iron & Steel from Worldsteel Image Library
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 9% from 807,000 short tons in May, 2022 to 733,000 tons in May, 2023. Hot rolled imports fell by the highest volume with imports down from Canada, Mexico, South Korea and Japan. In contrast, cut plate imports rose with volumes up from Australia, Italy and Canada.
Flat products imports in the first five months of 2023 were 27% lower than in the same period last year with hot dip galvanized -33%, cold rolled -32%, hot rolled -25% and cut plate +14%
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 92.6 million metric tonnes, 1.5% lower than in April, 2022. Chinese production in the first four months of 2023 was 3.2% higher than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show April net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) rose 83% compared to April last year. Net finished steel exports in the first four months of 2023 were 82% higher than in the first four months of 2022.
