Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 26% from 866,000 short tons in September, 2021 to 643,000 tons in September, 2022. The decline was mainly due to lower hot rolled imports from Canada, Turkey, Japan, and the Netherlands. Imports of cut plate, cold rolled and hot dip galvanized product categories also declined.
Based on January to August imports and September import licenses, US flat products imports in the first nine months of 2022 were 11% higher than in the same period last year with cold rolled +24%, hot dip galvanized +13%, cut plate +7% and hot rolled +6%.
US flat products import licenses from US Steel Import Monitor
January 2015 to September 2022
Short tons
Rolling process at NLMK Verona (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library ID: 31698
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 83.9 million metric tonnes in August, 0.5% higher than in August, 2021. Chinese production in the first eight months of 2022 was 5.7% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) at 5.3 million tonnes in August, 32% higher than in August, 2021. Net finished steel exports over the first eight months of 2022 were 0.5% higher than in the first eight months of 2021.
China produced 83.9 million tonnes this August, accounting for 56% of world output and rising 0.5% on August, 2021. In other parts of Asia, Indian crude steel production rose 1.2% but Japanese production fell 7.4% and South Korean production fell 0.4%.
European Union 27 countries production fell 13.3%, with Germany, its largest producer, producing 2.3% less on last August. North American production fell 5.4% with US output down 7.1%. Other significant changes compared to last August include production declines in Turkey (-21.0%) and Brazil (-11.3%), and an increase in Iran (+64.7%).
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 14% from 283,000 short tons in August, 2021 to 323,000 tons last month. Rebar imports rose by the largest volume compared to other long products categories due mainly to higher volumes from Turkey.
Long products imports in the first eight months of 2022 were 38% higher than in the same period last year with the highest volume increases coming from wire rod (+58%), rebar (+32%) and parallel flange sections (+33%).
US long products import licenses
January 2015 to August 2022
Short tons
Stacks of rebar in storage at Badische Stahlwerke, Kehl. Germany, 20.04.2016, from Worldsteel Image Library
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 2% from 831,000 short tons in August, 2021 to 849,000 tons in August, 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher cold rolled imports from a number of countries including Taiwan, Canada, Australia and Belgium. The increase in cold rolled imports was partially offset by lower hot dip galvanized imports from Brazil, Mexico and Australia.
Based on January to July imports and August import licenses, US flat products imports in the first eight months of 2022 were 17% higher than in the same period last year with cold rolled +32%, hot dip galvanized +19%, hot rolled +12% and cut plate +10%.
US flat products import licenses from U.S. Steel Import Monitor
January 2015 to August 2022
Short tons
A rolled steel coil (possibly by Rautaruukki) in the VR freight yard at the city of Oulu in Finland by Methem (Mikko J. Putkonen), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 81.4 million metric tonnes in July, 6.4% lower than in July, 2021. Chinese production in the first seven months of 2022 was 6.5% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) at 5.9 million tonnes, 27% higher than in July, 2021. Net finished steel exports over the first seven months of 2022 were 3.1% lower than in the first seven months of 2021.
China monthly crude steel production
Thousand metric tonnes
Dinghai Bridge while under construction, Hainan, China by Anna Frodesiak, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
