United States Department of COMMERCE NEWS  Washington, D.C. 20230             
ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS ADMINISTRATION

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

This release contains sensitive economic data not to be released 
before 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2001

CB-01-77     Press Copy FT-900A (01-03)

For information contact:
Haydn Mearkle    (301) 457-2246
Nick Orsini      (301) 457-2311
 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products March 2001

     The Bureau of the Census, through the Department of Commerce, announced 
today that preliminary March steel imports were $1.0 billion (2.3 million 
metric tons).  This was an increase of $0.2 billion (0.6 million metric tons) 
from the preliminary February totals of $0.8 billion (1.8 million metric tons).

     The February to March change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, 
reflected increases primarily in wire rods and blooms, billets, and slabs.  
Monthly changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily with Mexico, 
Australia, and Japan.

     The year to date statistics through February 2001 showed steel imports 
of 3.9 million metric tons, a decrease of 2.1 million metric tons from the 
5.9 million metric tons through February 2000.  The largest commodity 
decreases were in blooms, billets, and slabs; hot rolled sheets; and 
wire rods.  The largest country decreases were with Brazil, Taiwan, and Mexico.


*** NOTICE *** NOTICE *** NOTICE *** NOTICE *** NOTICE *** NOTICE *** NOTICE 

Beginning with the preliminary April statistical release of the U.S. Imports 
for Consumption of Steel Products report (FT-900A), released on May 30, 2001, 
the U.S. Census Bureau will be expanding the number of exhibits to provide 
steel product statistics in the following categories: alloy steel, stainless 
steel, and carbon (non-alloy) steel.  Also included will be additional 
commodity statistics.  Detailed information at the "commodity by country" and
"country by commodity" levels for alloy steel, stainless steel, and carbon 
(non-alloy) steel will be provided on the Foreign Trade Division's website.  
Due to the additional processing and review of the added steel categories, 
a revised 2001 release schedule is located on page 2 and is also available on 
the Foreign Trade Division's website at www.census.gov/foreign-trade.

                        Monthly Release 
                            Schedule
                                 
Apr.     05-30-01     Wed.
May      06-26-01     Tues.
Jun.     07-31-01     Tues.
Jul.     08-28-01     Tues.
Aug.     09-25-01     Tues.
Sep.     10-30-01     Tues.
Oct.     11-27-01     Tues.
Nov.     12-27-01     Thurs.
Dec.     01-29-02     Tues.

The data in this report are preliminary and subject to revisions.
Analysis of recent months for steel product imports indicates the value of 
preliminary data should equal about 96 percent of the final value reported 
in the regular monthly trade statistics report.  Preliminary data reported 
for individual steel categories and at the individual country of origin level 
have been less consistently predictive of the final data reported in the 
regular monthly trade statistics. For further details visit the Foreign Trade 
Division web site at: www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/.  On the web site 
you can access product by country and country by product tables.

The next release is May 30, 2001                                   

Source:  FT900A Preliminary March 2001 U.S. Imports for Consumption of 
Steel Products CB-01-77 

For information contact:
Haydn Mearkle    (301) 457-2246
Nick Orsini      (301) 457-2311