Latin American Steel Association or Alacero has announced that the Latin American crude steel production reached a volume of 44.6 million tonnes during January to August 2012 period, down by 3% YoY. In August 2012, the produced volume of crude steel reached 5.8 million tonnes, down by 1% YoY.
With 3.1 million tonnes, Brazil has been the country with the highest crude steel production in August 2012, increasing its volume by 4% YoY, when it had produced 3 million tonnes. It is followed by Mexico with 1.6 million tonnes of crude steel in August 2012. Argentina presented a drop of 26% YoY in its crude steel production compared to August 2011.
Regarding finished steel trade, during January to July 2012 period, the regional deficit rose to 7.2 million tonnes, while the imbalance in the first semester of 2011 had been 4.5 million tonnes.
During this period of 2012, all Latin American and Caribbean countries, except Argentina, had a finished steel trade deficit, with Mexico presenting the greatest deficit of 2.6 million tonnes. Likewise, among other countries which also presented significant deficits, was Colombia with 910 tonnes and Peru with 898 tonnes.
The production of finished steel reached a volume of 34 million tonnes during January to August 2012 period, of which Brazil represented 47% of the volume with 17.9 million tonnes. Mexico has been the second largest producer of the region with 10.7 million tonnes representing 28% of the region, followed by Argentina with 3.5 million tonnes.
In August 2012, the finished steel production reached 5.1 million tonnes in Latin America, 5% YoY more than in the same month of 2011. With 2.4 million tonnes and 1.4 million tonnes respectively, Brazil and Mexico have been the countries which stimulated this growth.
The apparent steel use in the region reached a volume of 38.5 million tonnes in January to July 2012 period as compared to a finished steel production of only 33.1 million tonnes in this period.
In the period of January to July 2012, the regional consumption grew 7% compared to the same period of 2011, driven mainly by Mexico (+16%), Chile (+12%) and Peru (+10%).
In the month of July 2012, the apparent steel use in the region was 5.6 million tonnes, up by 3% YoY.
Source - Alacero
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