Imports increased by 32.5 percent in March compared to depressed levels in February and 19.1 percent compared to March 2010 according to preliminary government data.' 'Imports increased in March in response to improved market conditions.' Our NAFTA partners registered the largest increase in shipments and semifinished arrivals outpaced other products' increases, reflecting improved market conditions for domestic and NAFTA steel producers. 'Other countries' increases indicate that the strengthening of the market now during the first quarter is beginning to result in increased arrivals from offshore suppliers as well,' said David Phelps, president, AIIS.

''For the year-to-date period, arrivals increased by 20.9 percent compared to 2010, which also shows continued improved market conditions for many steel products -- although non-residential and residential construction markets remain weak.' AIIS remains optimistic that the market will continue on the deliberate, slow path of improvement we have observed so far this year, to the benefit of all suppliers to the market, as well as steel consumers' concluded Phelps.

Total Steel imports in March 2011 were 2.445 million tons compared to 1.845 million'tons in February 2011, a 32.5 percent increase, and a 19.1 percent increase compared to March 2010. According to year-to-date figures, imports increased 20.9 percent compared to 2010 or from'5.3 million tons in 2010 to 6.4 million tons in 2011. The data show that imported semifinished products increased by 47.8 percent in March 2011 compared to March 2010. For the year-to-date period, semifinished imports increased from 1.14 million tons in 2010 to 1.42 million tons in 2011, a 24.4 percent increase based on preliminary reporting.