IBIS reported that the Brazilian production of crude steel in April 2009 was 1.7 million tonnes, representing decrease of 0.1% MoM as compared to March and a drop of 40.4% YoY as compared to April 2008

For laminates, production in April, 1.5 million tonnes representing growth of 11.5% in comparison with the previous month and a decrease of 33.8% as compared with April last year. With these results, the combined production in the 1st quarter totaled 6.7 million tons of crude steel and 4.9 million tonne of rolled, which meant drop of 41.7% and 43.3% respectively on the Q1 of 2008.

As for domestic sales, the result of April 2009 was 1.2 million tonnes of products, growth of 2.2% over the previous month, reflecting a beginning of recovery in the domestic market. When compared, however, with the same period of 2008 records is decrease of 36.9%. Sales of the quarter, from 4.3 million tonnes showing decrease of 42.5% with the same period last year.

Exports of steel products in April 2009 reached 653,400 tonnes valued at USD 359.7 million. The export volume was 22.3% higher than in March, while revenue grew 7.1%. Exports in the first quarter totaled 2.1 million tonnes and USD 1.4 billion representing decrease of 40.24% in volume and 41.3% in value compared to same period last year.

As regards imports, recorded in April volume of 136,400 tonnes totaling thus 710,800 tonnes of steel products in the first quarter of this year, 2.3% above the same period last year.

The national apparent consumption of steel products in April was 1.4 million tonnes, totaling 5 million tonnes in Q1 of the year. This drop in value was 33.7% and 38.9% respectively compared to same period last year.

(Sourced from IBIS)