U.S. Steel Imports for January 2025: A Detailed Overview
According to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported a significant uptick in steel imports for January 2025. Total imports for the month reached 3,065,000 net tons, which marks a 20.2% increase compared to January 2024. This includes 2,305,000 NT of finished steel, which saw an even steeper rise of 26.5% compared to the previous month, December 2024.
This surge in steel imports indicates a steady demand for steel products across various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The jump in imports suggests that the U.S. steel market is not only recovering from earlier disruptions but also meeting the growing demand for specific types of steel, such as structural shapes, reinforcing bars, and oil country goods.
Growth in Steel Imports: A Comparison to Previous Periods
• The month-to-month comparison between January 2025 and December 2024 shows significant increases across key categories. For example, heavy structural shapes saw an impressive 199% increase, while reinforcing bars grew by 191%. This sharp rise indicates a strong demand in construction and heavy manufacturing sectors, where these steel products are widely used.
• Looking at the yearly growth, January 2025 steel imports increased by 20.2% compared to January 2024, while finished steel imports were up by 20.3%. Over the 12-month period from February 2024 to January 2025, total steel imports were up by 4.5%, and finished steel imports showed a 5.9% increase compared to the previous 12 months.
Import Market Share and Key Products Driving Growth
One of the key takeaways from January’s report is the growth in finished steel import market share, which was estimated to be 25% for the month of January 2025. Finished steel imports typically include sheets, plates, coated products, and long steel products, all of which are critical for the U.S. construction, automotive, and industrial sectors.
Several key steel products saw substantial increases in January 2025 compared to December 2024:
• Heavy Structural Shapes: Up by 199%, these are used extensively in infrastructure projects, including buildings, bridges, and industrial structures.
• Reinforcing Bars: Up by 191%, a key product for construction and the building of durable concrete structures.
• Blooms, Billets, and Slabs: Up by 143%, products essential for the manufacturing of steel products.
• Oil Country Goods: Up by 121%, used primarily in oil and gas extraction operations.
• Line Pipe: Up by 84%, vital for energy and pipeline infrastructure projects.
These increases in specific steel products reflect the ongoing demand for structural and construction materials, as well as materials used in oil and gas extraction.
Year-Over-Year Increases in Specific Steel Products
Looking at a longer-term trend, several steel products showed significant increases in imports over the 12-month period from February 2024 to January 2025:
• Tin Plate: Up by 45%, crucial for the production of cans and packaging materials.
• Sheets and Strip All Other Metallic Coated: Up by 40%, important for the automotive and appliance industries.
• Sheets and Strip Hot Dipped Galvanized: Up by 35%, essential for automotive and construction applications.
• Cold Rolled Sheets: Up by 27%, primarily used in automotive manufacturing.
• Wire Rods: Up by 22%, which are used in a range of industries including construction and automotive.
These figures illustrate the diversification of steel imports, as demand spreads across different sectors, from automotive manufacturing to packaging and construction.
Top Steel Suppliers to the U.S. in January 2025
January 2025 saw several countries supplying a large portion of the steel imports into the U.S. The top five suppliers, along with their monthly increases, are as follows:
1. Canada: 649,000 NT (up 25% vs. December 2024)
2. Brazil: 585,000 NT (up 414%)
3. Mexico: 470,000 NT (up 44%)
4. South Korea: 326,000 NT (up 56%)
5. Japan: 97,000 NT (up 29%)
Brazil showed the most remarkable rise in imports, with a 414% increase in January compared to the previous month, suggesting that Brazil’s steel production and export capabilities are making a stronger mark on the U.S. market.
Twelve-Month Supplier Trends
When examining the 12-month period from February 2024 to January 2025, the largest suppliers to the U.S. were:
• Canada: 6,579,000 NT (down 5% vs. the previous 12 months)
• Brazil: 4,615,000 NT (up 15%)
• Mexico: 3,591,000 NT (down 13%)
• South Korea: 2,940,000 NT (up 9%)
• Vietnam: 1,333,000 NT (up 119%)
While Canada remained the largest supplier in terms of volume, its market share decreased by 5% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s steel exports to the U.S. surged by 119%, signaling the country’s growing role as a steel supplier in the global market.
Key Takeaways:
• The U.S. imported 3,065,000 net tons (NT) of steel in January 2025, marking a 20.2% increase compared to January 2024.
• Finished steel imports also increased by 26.5% from December 2024 to January 2025.
• Key steel products with significant import increases include heavy structural shapes (up 199%), reinforcing bars (up 191%), and oil country goods (up 121%).
• The 12-month period (February 2024 to January 2025) saw total steel imports up 4.5% and finished steel imports up 5.9%.
• Brazil had the highest increase in steel imports to the U.S. with 414% in January, followed by South Korea (up 56%).
• The largest suppliers to the U.S. in January 2025 were Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan.
• Vietnam showed the most growth over the 12-month period, with a 119% increase in exports to the U.S.
• Finished steel’s market share was estimated at 25% in January 2025.
