Steel imports declined 5.5 percent in November compared to October. 'Weak market conditions in November affected shipments especially from our NAFTA partner, Mexico.' Weak market conditions in late summer/early fall also depressed arrivals from offshore suppliers,' said David Phelps, president, AIIS.

'The year-to-date data continue to show the improvement in market conditions over late 2009, as import arrivals were up nearly 30 percent from November 2009. With the improvement in the steel market, including improved pricing and lengthening backlogs at domestic mills for many products in late 2010, we look forward to better conditions for imports in the months to come,' concluded Phelps.

Total Steel imports in November 2010 were 1.8 million tons compared to 1.9 million'tons in October 2010, a 5.5%'decrease, and a 29.6% increase compared to November 2009. According to year-to-date figures, imports increased 49% compared to 2009 or from 14. 8 million tons in 2009 to 22.1 million tons in 2010. The data show that imported semifinished products decreased from 367 thousand tons in November 2009 to 289 thousand tons in November 2010, a 21.2% decrease. For the year-to-date period, semifinished imports increased from 1,758 thousand tons in 2009 to 4,705 thousand tons in 2010, a 167.6% increase, based on preliminary reporting.