October 2005

• Total shipments of rolled-steel products declined 5.3% to 1 238 928 metric tonnes between September and October 2005. The decrease was led by a month-over-month drop of 36 thousand metric tonnes in shipments of hot-rolled sheets and coils. Plant shutdowns played a role in the drop.
• Although shipments of rolled steel products to the United States edged up 1% in October 2005, they were more than offset by the combined slump of 7% (72 385 metric tonnes) in domestic shipments and foreign exports (other than to the United States).
• Compared with the same month last year, rolled steel shipments in October 2005 increased 3%.
• Between September and October 2005, total production of steel primary forms rose slightly (1%) to reach 1 312 452 tonnes, the highest level in last 5 months.
• Steel pipe and tube production continued to grow, reaching 261 936 metric tonnes in October 2005. This rise of 4.9% compared with September was largely attributable to an increase in the production of line pipe.
• Domestic shipments of steel pipe and tube were flat in October while exports went up. This resulted in an overall increase of 2.2% in total shipments.