Red Metal Imports, Exports Decline in August

U.S. imports and exports of brass mill products fell in August 2011 compared with the corresponding 2010 period, according to the Copper and Brass Fabricators Council, Washington, D.C.

Imports of brass mill products in August totaled 40,505,846 pounds compared to 43,842,309 in August 2010, a decrease of 7.6 percent. Exports totaled 20,060,888 pounds in August, down from 20,343,099 in August 2010, a 1.4 percent decrease.

For year-to-date 2011 through August, imports of brass mill products totaled 329,467,693 pounds compared to 330,375,873 pounds through August 2010, a decrease of 0.3 percent. Exports 2011 totaled 160,922,502 compared to 157,807,830 in the same 2010 period, an increase of 2.0 percent.

Mexico was the leading destination for U.S. exports of brass mill products in August at 7,603,729 pounds, followed by Canada at 6,897,164 pounds, China at 852,843 pounds, South Korea at 580,749 pounds and Malaysia at 389,002 pounds.

Imports from Germany in August 2011 totaled 7,719,705 pounds, followed by South Korea at 5,079,905 pounds, Mexico at 4,139,871 pounds, China at 4,100,856 pounds and Canada at 3,817,984 pounds.

Imports of all sheet, strip, plate and foil products totaled 11,471,195 pounds, while exports of those products totaled 8,383,029 pounds. Imports of all pipe and tube products totaled 16,030,943 pounds, while pipe and tube exports totaled 5,210,665 pounds.