Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 22% from 314,000 short tons in February 2024 to 243,000 tons in February 2025 (though February 2025 had 1 less day). The decline was mainly due to lower rebar imports from Algeria.
Despite imports dropping between February 2024 and February 2025, US long products imports in the first two months of 2025 were 23% higher than in the same period last year. This was the result of an import surge of 77% between January 2024 and 2025 (see chart below). The increase between the first two months of both 2024 and 2025 was due to a 50% increase in rebar imports and a 23% increase in wire rod imports.
US long products import licenses
January 2018 to February 2025
Short tons
“Rebar framework in preparation of pouring a concrete slab at the Metro North express level. 08-08-2019” by MTA Capital Construction Mega Projects, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In the newest episode of The Green Steel Challenge, released today, Tenova‘s CEO Roberto Pancaldi explains how his company is focussed on exactly the steelmaking technologies which are leading the effort towards steel decarbonization. You’ll hear about the evolution of electric arc furnace technology, their specialty, but also about what’s new in hydrogen and DRI production, and which steelmaker is likely to be the first commercial-volume submerged arc furnace producer.
The Green Steel Challenge podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. The next podcast guest will be Martin Pei, Executive Vice President & CTO, SSAB, viewable on March 25th.
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 6% from 660,000 short tons in February, 2024 to 618,000 tons in February, 2025. The decline was mainly due to lower hot dip galvanized imports from Vietnam, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, as well as lower cut plate imports from Brazil and Canada. This decline was partially offset by higher hot rolled imports from South Korea, Canada and Germany.
US flat products imports in the first two months of 2025 were 3% lower than in the same period last year. Lower imports of hot dip galvanized (-11%) and cut plate (-36%) were offset by higher imports of cold rolled (+11%) and hot rolled (+4%).
US flat products import licenses
January 2017 to February 2025
Short tons
NCA coil train (Nuevo Central Argentino) via Florencio Varela route towards Villa Elisa junction, commanded by EMD GR12 locomotive plate 6624 by Sergio Moises Panei Pitrau, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
China produced 81.9 million tonnes of crude steel in January, accounting for 54% of world output and declining 5.6% compared to January, 2024. Asian output outside of China declined 1.4% over the same period.
Crude steel production in the European Union 27 countries fell 3.3% between January, 2024 and January, 2025 with German output -8.8% but Italian production +2.8%. Total North America production fell 0.5% but US production rose 1.2%. Other significant changes in the top ten world producing countries include declines in Iran (-24.1%), Japan (-6.6%), and South Korea (-8.8%), but an increases in India (+6.8%).
US Steel Clairton Works, Clairton PA, 19 May 2013, 08:58 by Roy Luck from Wikipedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Steel_Clairton_Works,Clairton_PA(8900609120).jpg#filehistory
If you are interested in understanding the newest low-emission steelmaking technologies, you’ll want to hear what Electra‘s CEO Sandeep Nijhawan has to say about their innovative renewable-energy-consuming ironmaking technology. In the latest episode of The Green Steel Challenge, Sandeep explains the advantages of their process and which key issues still need to be resolved. This is truly a promising technology with current investors and partners including both Nucor and BHP.
The Green Steel Challenge podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. The next podcast guest will be Roberto Pancaldi, CEO of Tenova, viewable on March 11th.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 77% from 261,000 short tons in January, 2024 to 462,000 tons in January, 2025. The increase was mainly due to higher rebar imports from Turkey, Algeria, Bulgaria, and Vietnam.
US long products imports over the last six months (August, 2024 to January, 2025) were only 1% higher than in the same period the year before, with gains from wire rod imports (+6%) and rebar imports (+2%) offsetting declines in structural angles and channels imports (-12%) and merchant bar imports (-10%).
US long products import licenses
January 2018 to January 2025
Short tons
Installing rebar and keyways in preparation of a concrete pour for the final approach structure in Harold Interlocking (New York City) by MTA Capital Construction Mega Projects, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
