Steel imports declined in February 2013 compared to January by 6.8% according to preliminary government reporting.

David Phelps, president, AIIS said that the steel market early in 2013 reflects prices under pressure, short lead times at domestic mills and cautious buying by distributors and consumers, all of which are not positives for import ordering. A 31% increase in the import of slab by the domestic industry in January is a positive sign that the market is moving in a more positive direction.

For the first two months of 2013, steel imports declined by 8.7% compared to the same period 2012.
Total steel imports in February 2013 were 2.440M short tons compared to 2.617Mston in January 2013, a 6.8% decrease, and a 10.3% decrease compared to February 2012. For the year- to - date imports decreased from 5.536Mston in the first two months of 2012 to 5.057Mston in the same period 2013, an 8.% fall.

Imported semi finished products decreased by 2.6% in February 2013 compared to February 2012, from 638kston in 2012 to 621kston in 2013, based on preliminary reporting.