Total imports of steel mill products increased in April over March by 0.9 percent, according to preliminary government reporting. 'The small increase in arrivals in April show that slow improvement in the market continues, based on market conditions early in 2010 when the non-NAFTA orders were taken' said David Phelps, president, AIIS.

'While total imports are up 9.6 percent for the first four months of 2010 compared to 2009, it is imports of semifinished steel purchased by domestic mills that account for more than the total increase in the year to date figures.' In fact, total imports of finished steel products have declined during the first four months of 2010 compared to 2009, reflecting the cautious buying patterns by consumers and distributors early in the year,' concluded Phelps.

Total Steel imports in April 2010 were 2.07 million tons compared to 2.05 million'tons in March 2010, a 0.9%'increase, and a 68.4% increase compared to April 2009. According to year-to-date figures, imports increased 9.6% compared to 2009 or from 6.7 million tons in 2009 to 7.4million tons in 2010. The data show that imported semifinished products increased by 273.9% in April 2010 as compared to April 2009. For the year-to-date period, semifinished imports increased from 497 thousand tons in 2009 to 1,540 thousand tons in 2010, a 209.9% increase, based on preliminary reporting.