The USA imported a total of 2.9Mt of steel in August, according to figures published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The figures, all, incidentally net tons, based on preliminary Census Bureau data showed that steel imports into the USA had declined 1% from July to August.
According to the AISI, the 2.9Mt includes just over 2Mt of finished steel, down 0.8% and 8.1% respectively.
Year-to-date through eight months of 2018, total and finished steel imports totalled 23.8Mt and 18.2Mt respectively, down 10.4% and 11% respectively.
The annualised total and finished steel imports in 2018 would be 35.8Mt and 27.3Mt, down 6.2% and 7.6% when compared with 2017 figures.
The finished steel import market share was an estimated 21% in August, and an estimated 24% year-to-date.
Figures indicate that wire rod was up 30% and cut lengths 13%.
Major products with significant year-to-date increases compared with 2017 figures included plates in coils (up 21%) and hot rolled sheets (up 18%).
The AISI reports that South Korea sent the largest volume of finished steel into the USA, up 11% on July figures at 169kt. Turkey was second with 119kt, up 61%, and Germany third with 112kt, up 14%. Japan exported 101kt to the USA, down 23%, and Taiwan sent over 81kt, down 18%.
For the first eight months of 2018, South Korea was the largest exporter, sending 2.1Mt, down 20% on 2017 figures. Next was Japan (974kt, down 9%) and then Germany (870kt, up just 2%). Turkey exported 840kt to the USA, down 54%, and Taiwan sent over 740kt, down 18%.