SMU Data and Models
November 13, 2017
SIMA Data Shows Rolled, Sheet Imports Slowing
Written by Tim Triplett
Total rolled steel imports declined by 14.0 percent in the three months through October, compared to the three months through July. Sheet products were down by 12.6 percent on the same basis, based on final license data for October reported by of the U.S. Commerce Department on Nov. 7.
The data is reported within the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis system (SIMA). An explanation of the methodology that we use to analyze the trade data is given at the end of this piece, together with notes describing SIMA. All volumes in this analysis are reported in short tons. We prefer not to dwell on single-month results because of the extreme variability that can occur in individual products. In the comments below, we use three-month moving averages to give what we believe is the most accurate picture.
