US imports and exports of brass mill products increased in April compared with the corresponding 2016 period, according to a report Wednesday from the Copper & Brass Fabricators Council.
Imports of brass mill products in April totaled nearly 41.4 million lb compared with 39.6 million in April 2016, an increase of 4.5%.
US exports edged up to about 19.9 million lb in April from 19.8 million lb a year earlier, a 0.5% increase, the Washington-based trade group said.
In first four months of the year, US imports of brass mill products totaled 155.2 million lb compared with 147.6 million lb in January-April 2016, an increase of 5.2%.
US exports over the same period totaled nearly 85.4 million lb compared with 79.5 million lb, an increase of 7.4% on the year.
Mexico was the leading destination for US brass mill exports in April at about 7.8 million lb, followed by Canada at 5.4 million lb, China at 1.2 million lb, South Korea at 918,716 lb and Germany at 630,061 lb, according to the CBFC.
April brass mill imports from Germany in April totaled about 11.3 million lb, followed by South Korea at 4.4 million lb, Mexico at 3.8 million lb, Canada at about 3.7 million lb and Vietnam at 2.6 million lb.
US imports of all sheet, strip, plate and foil products totaled 14.9 million lb in April, while exports of those products totaled 7.6 million lb.
US imports of all pipe and tube products in April totaled just over 14 million lb, while pipe and tube exports totaled nearly 4 million lb.
April imports of all profiles, rods and bars to the US totaled slightly more than 9 million lb, while exports totaled about 6.4 million lb, the CBFC said.
US imports of copper alloy wire totaled 3.3 million lb, while exports totaled 1.8 million lb in April.
Brass mill products are widely used in building construction, automotive products and in electronic and electrical applications.
