According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), in January–April 2026, the US imported 5.12 million short tons of rolled steel, which is 30.5% less compared to the same period in 2025. Total steel imports, including rolled steel and semi-finished products, also declined, indicating a noticeable cooling of foreign procurement in one of the world's key markets.
Key Import Indicators for January–April
Total steel imports, including rolled and semi-finished products, reached 6.97 million tons, down 29.5% year-on-year. The 30.5% decrease in rolled product imports to 5.12 million short tons confirms that the US market is entering a period of more cautious purchasing. At the same time, the supply structure remains uneven: some product categories are falling, while certain types of long products are showing growth.
The largest categories in January–April were Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), rebar, cold-rolled sheets, and heavy structural shapes. Shipments of products for the oil and gas sector decreased by 43%, cold-rolled sheets fell by 37.6%, while rebar increased by 7.9% and heavy structural shapes grew by 32.1% y-o-y. This distribution indicates a shift in demand towards construction and structural segments amid weaker activity in certain industrial supply chains.
Impact on the Global Steel Market and Procurement
For the global market, such a decline in US imports signals a redistribution of trade flows, as suppliers may actively seek alternative sales markets. This creates additional competition in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, where prices for certain types of rolled metal are highly sensitive to oversupply. For Ukrainian exporters, the shift in US demand is important not only as a direct sales factor but also as an indicator of future price trends.
Under such conditions, industrial consumers require predictable supplies and transparent material quality. winox.ua works with rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, helping clients stabilize their procurement processes even during times of foreign market volatility. The company selects certified products and focuses on reliable delivery, which is particularly crucial for manufacturing facilities with long contract cycles.
Suppliers and Dynamics in April
Over the four-month period, South Korea became the largest steel exporter to the US with 1.17 million tons, increasing its volume by 22.6% y-o-y. Canada, Brazil, and Mexico remained among the key sources, but their shipments declined significantly: by 51.6%, 47.1%, and 43.1% respectively. This discrepancy among countries indicates that US importers are reviewing their logistics, contract terms, and the product structure of their purchases.
In April, US rolled steel imports increased by 5.5% compared to March, reaching 1.38 million tons, while total steel imports rose by 5.9% to 1.87 million tons. The fastest month-on-month growth was observed in shipments of rebar, cold-rolled sheets, and heavy structural shapes, which may indicate a localized recovery in demand after a weaker start to the year. At the same time, the annual dynamics remain negative, so the April increase should be viewed as a short-term correction rather than a full trend reversal.