This release contains sensitive economic data not to be released 
before 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 1999

  CB-99-74 Press Copy 
  FT-900A (99-03)

For information contact:
Haydn R. Mearkle  (301) 457-2246 
Richard M. Preuss (301) 457-2311

   Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products March 1999

     The Bureau of the Census, through the Department of Commerce, 
announced today that preliminary March steel imports were $1.0 billion 
(2.5 million metric tons).  This was an increase of $0.2 billion (0.5 
metric tons) from the preliminary February totals of $0.9 billion (2.0 
million metric tons).

     The February to March change in steel imports, based on metric 
tonnage, reflected increases primarily in blooms, billets and slabs; hot 
rolled sheets; and wire rods.  The monthly change in steel imports 
reflected increases primarily with Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.

     The year-to-date final statistics through February of 1999 show 
steel imports of 4.5 million metric tons, virtually the same as imported 
through February of 1998.  The largest commodity increases were in heavy 
structural shapes and cold rolled sheets.  The largest commodity decreases 
were in hot rolled sheets and plates in coils.  The largest country 
increases were with Korea and China.  The largest country decreases were 
with Germany and Russia.

Notes:

     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 20, 1999
SOURCE: Report FT900A (CB-99-74), Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade
        Division, March 1999 preliminary.  For more information, contact 
        Haydn R. Mearkle (301-457-2246) or Richard M. Preuss (301-457-2311), 
        Foreign Trade Division.