U.S. Steel Exports Increase for September

Exports of U.S. steel, a key breakbulk cargo, increased 23.7 percent from August to September, or to 989,821 U.S. tons, according to the American Institute for International Steel. During the month of September 2008 the United States exported 1,393,922 tons.

Steel exports to Canada and Mexico, the United States’ largest trading partners, increased 26.8 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, from August to September, or to 506,127 and 175,229 tons. Compared to September 2008, however, export tonnages to the two countries were down 25.6 and 35.8 percent.

Through September, the U.S. exported 6.4 million tons total, 39 percent less than the 10.5 million tons exported during the same period of 2008. U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico were down 41.1 and 36.6 percent for the period.

From January through September, steel exports to three countries and one region increased overall compared to 2008, according to AIIS. To Russia, exports were up 70.5 percent to 15,405 tons; to the Dominican Republic, exports were up 105.6 percent to 83,229 tons; to Panama, exports were up 23 percent to 68,643 tons; and to Africa, exports were up 81.8 percent to 185,514 tons.

Contact Janet Nodar at jcnodar@bellsouth.net.