'Imports for the first two months of 2011 were 20 percent higher than in 2010, reflecting improved market conditions in 2011 compared to 2010,' concluded Phelps.
Total Steel imports in February 2011 were 1,776 thousand tons compared to 2,117 thousand'tons in January 2011, a 16.1% decrease, and a 12.3 % increase compared to February, 2010. According to year-to-date figures, imports increased 20 % compared to 2010 or from'3.244 million tons in 2010 to 3.893 million tons in 2011. The data show that imported semifinished products increased by 12.8% in February 2011 as compared to February 1010. For the year-to-date period, semifinished imports increased from 737 thousand tons in 2010 to 823 thousand tons in 2011, an 11.7% increase, based on preliminary reporting.