US Steel Imports Fell 3.2 Percent in September

U.S. steel imports posted a month-to-month decline of 3.2 percent last month but were up 73.9 percent from the depressed levels of September 2009.

“Softening market conditions in the NAFTA region during the summer clearly impacted arrivals in September,” said David Phelps, president of the American Institute for International Steel, which represents steel importers.

By The Numbers: U.S. Foreign Trade.

“Market conditions currently suggest that imports will remain modest until there is a substantial improvement in demand in the U.S. market,” Phelps said.

Total steel imports in September were 2.1 million tons compared to 2.2 million tons in August. Through the year’s first nine months, imports were up 56 percent to 18.4 million tons.

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