Preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of May 2002 showed that steel imports decreased 10.9% from April 2002 levels, due mainly to reductions in wire and plate products.
May 2002 imports of standard pipe increased 3% compared to April 2002, but were down 34% compared to May 2001. Figures for the Jan.-May period showed imports of steel pipe declined 8% compared to the same period last year.