The Specialty Steel Industry of North America has released statistical data on imports, US consumption and import penetration for April 2009. The following data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD April 2009 as compared to the same 2008 four month period. Stainless steel sheet/strip: imports in YTD April 2009 were 64,901tns, a 62.7% YoY decrease compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 261,757tns, a 49.4% YoY decrease. Stainless steel plate: imports in YTD April 2009 were 12,370tns, a 60.6% YoY decrease as compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 52,003tns, a 45.8% YoY decrease. Stainless steel bar: imports in YTD April 2009 were 29,206tns, a 30.1% YoY decrease as compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 55,807tns, a 31.4% YoY decrease. Stainless steel rod: imports in YTD April 2009 were 4082tns, a 60.3% YoY decrease as compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 9552tns, a 54.2% YoY decrease. Stainless steel wire: imports in YTD April 2009 were 9669tns, a 32.5% YoY decrease as compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 12,857tns, a 48.1% YoY decrease. Imports of total stainless steel comprising the foregoing product lines in YTD April 2009 were 120,228tns, a 55.8% YoY decrease as compared to YTD April 2008; US consumption was 391,977tns, a 47.1% YoY decrease.