Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Jan 17, 2012 12:48PM EST
U.S. steel exports were up 10.6 percent through the first 11 months of last year and approached pre-recession levels, government data show.
November exports totaled 1.23 million tons, up 21 percent from November 2010 and 6.7 percent above October levels. Through the year’s first 11 months, exports totaled 12.253 million tons, up 47 percent above recession levels in 2009 and only 4 percent below January-November levels during the record year of 2008.
Exports in November increased to “increased to every international market except Africa, including the European Union, notwithstanding concerns about the EU economic future,” said David Phelps, president of the American Institute for International Steel. “We are encouraged by these data, which show staying power for steel exports, notwithstanding concerns about the direction of many economies at this time.”
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