Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 6% from 862,000 short tons in June, 2021 to 809,000 tons in June, 2022. The drop was mainly due to lower hot rolled imports from Turkey, Japan and South Korea, offset somewhat by increased hot rolled imports from Mexico. Hot dip galvanized imports rose, however, following higher volumes from Brazil, South Korea and Mexico.
Based on January to May imports and June import licenses, US flat products imports in the first six months of 2022 were 23% higher than in the same period last year with cold rolled +36%, hot dip galvanized +35%, hot rolled +14% and cut plate +6%.
US Flat Products Import Licenses from Steel Import Monitor
January 2014 to June 2022
Short tons
Hot-rolling at NLMK La Louviere, Belgium (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 96.6 million metric tonnes, 3.5% lower than in May, 2021. Chinese production in the first five months of 2022 was 7.1% 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) in May at 7.0 million tonnes, 71.1% higher than in May, 2021. Net finished steel exports over the first five months of 2022 were 15.7% lower than in the first five months of 2021.
China produced 96.6 million tonnes in May, accounting for 57% of world output and falling 3.5% on May, 2021. In other parts of Asia, Indian crude steel production rose 17.3% but Japanese production fell 4.2% and South Korean production dropped 1.4%.
European Union 27 countries production fell 6.8% following a 11.5% decline in Germany. North American production dropped 4.0% with US output down 2.6%. Other significant changes compared to last May include a 19.1% decline in the CIS region and a 17.6% drop in Iran.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 70% from 296,000 short tons in May, 2021 to 502,000 tons last month. Both rebar and wire rod imports rose significantly with rebar imports rising mainly from Turkey and wire rod imports rising from India, Malaysia, Mexico and Algeria.
Long products imports in the first five months of 2022 were 49% higher than in the same period last year with the highest volume increases coming from wire rod (+90%), rebar (+26%) and parallel flange sections (+52%).
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 4% from 764,000 short tons in May, 2021 to 795,000 tons in May, 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher cold rolled imports from a number for countries including Mexico and Turkey. Hot rolled imports also rose from Mexico and Japan. However, the rise in cold rolled and hot rolled imports was offset by a decline in hot dip galvanized imports from Brazil, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Based on January to April imports and May imports licenses, US flat products imports in the first five months of 2022 were 31% higher than in the same period last year with cold rolled +53%, hot dip galvanized +37%, hot rolled +21% and cut plate +12%.
Steel Import Monitor US Flat Products Import Licenses
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 92.8 million metric tonnes, 5.2% lower than in April, 2021. Chinese production in the first four months of 2022 was 8.1% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from the General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in April at 4.0 million tonnes, 41% lower than in April, 2021. Net finished steel exports over the first four months of 2022 were 33% lower than in the first four months of 2021.
