The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released import, U.S. consumption, and import penetration data covering January through October 2004. The data illustrate a 30% increase in total stainless steel imports through October, while total specialty steel imports are 24% above 2003 totals. As detailed below, each product group contributing to these totals experienced increasing imports over the first ten months of 2004.

Stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 340,282 tons in the first ten months of 2004, a 34% increase over the first ten months of 2003. Consumption was 1,501,629 tons, a 14% increase, while import penetration was 23%, a four percentage point increase.

Imports of stainless steel plate totaled 57,780 tons in the first ten months, a 39% increase over the comparable 2003 period. Consumption was 242,337 tons, a 2% increase, and import penetration was 24%, a six percentage point increase.

Stainless steel bar imports were 66,689 tons through October, a 13% increase compared to the comparable 2003 period. Consumption was 166,912 tons, an 8% increase, while import penetration was 40%, a two percentage point increase. Stainless steel rod imports totaled 37,982 tons through October, a 24% increase over 2003. U.S. consumption was 59,387 tons, a 7% increase, and import penetration was 64%, a nine percentage point increase. Imports of stainless steel wire were 34,530 tons through October, a 22% increase compared to YTD 2003. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Total stainless steel imports were 537,262 tons, a 30% increase over YTD 2003. U.S. consumption was 1,996,913 tons, a 12% increase, and import penetration was 27%, a four percentage point increase.

Alloy tool steel imports were 75,478 tons through October, a 5% increase over YTD 2003. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable. Electrical steel imports totaled 69,680 tons through October, a 4% increase compared to the same period for 2003. U.S. consumption was 321,546 tons, a 3% decrease, and import penetration was 22%, a two percentage point increase.

Total specialty steel (stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) imports were 682,420 tons through October, a 24% increase compared to 2003. U.S. consumption was 2,377,384 tons, a 9% increase; and import penetration was 29%, a four percentage point increase.

SSINA is a Washington, D.C., based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty steel producers. David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, D.C., law firm Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.