NEW YORK — U.S. stainless steel imports jumped 30.8 percent in August compared with the same month last year, while total consumption rose just 7 percent, according to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).

Stainless imports totaled 89,730 tons in August, while U.S. consumption reached 220,170 tons.

Stainless sheet and strip imports saw the most notable increases, with imports rising 50.2 percent year on year to 53,648 tons and consumption rising 13.2 percent to 155,571 tons.

Bar imports fell 0.8 percent to 11,763 tons, while consumption dropped 9.2 percent to 20,052 tons in the same comparison.

Imports of alloy tool steel increased 18.6 percent to 13,089 tons, while electrical steel imports fell 1.5 percent to 9,625 tons.

Stainless plate imports rose 11.9 percent to 17,674 tons in August, even while total consumption fell 9.2 percent from August 2011 to 33,451 tons.