Steel Products
January 2, 2013
Imports Return to Pre-Recession Levels
Written by John Packard
Based on total projected imports of 33,512,516 net tons for calendar year 2012, imports for this year will be at the highest level since the recession began. The last year imports exceeded what we are projecting based on US DOC license data through December, was 2006 when the U.S. received 45,273,023 net tons.
Based on recently released preliminary census data for the month of November along with updated license data for December we have a better idea regarding what imports will look like for each of these months. Both will be close to the moving 3-month moving average of 2.627 million net tons. November is projected to be 2,659,486 net tons and our early forecast is for December to be a little lower at 2,560,480 net tons.
