US Steel Exports Grew 29.3 Percent in 2010

U.S. steel exports jumped 29.3 percent to 12 million tons last year despite a 0.1 percent dip in December volume, government data show.

Steel exports rose in all markets except Africa and Asia, where the drop was due primarily to a decline in exports to China, said David Phelps, president of the American Institute for International Steel.

By The Numbers: ISM U.S. Manufacturing Export Orders Index Vs. ISM U.S. Manufacturing Materials Imports Index

“The rebound in steel exports in 2010 was gratifying after the recession, as demand improved especially in the NAFTA region and resulted in exports increasing to within 11 percent of record levels in 2008 after declining over 31 percent in 2009,” Phelps said.

He noted that stainless steel accounted for 5.1 percent of exports, compared to just 2 percent of total industry shipments, while alloy steel represented 17 percent of exports, compared with just over 4 percent of domestic shipments.

“These data show the positive reactions from international markets for high-value and high-quality steel products made in the U.S.,” Phelps said.

-- Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com.