January Brazil Steel Output Up 3.8% To 2.8 Million Tons From Year Ago -IABr

Friday,18 February 2011 08:17pm

RIO DE JANEIRO -(Dow Jones)- Brazilian steelmakers produced 2.8 million metric tons of crude steel in January, 3.8% higher than in the same month of 2010, the Brazilian Steel Institute, or IABr, said in a statement Friday. January's output was 16.2% higher than in December, IABr said.

Rolled products steel output rose 0.4% from a year ago to 2.1 million tons. This was 15.4% higher than in December, when some Brazilian steel mills reduced output due to coal supply difficulties and high steel import levels.

Domestic steel product sales rose to 1.7 million tons in January, up 4.5% from the same 2010 period and 11.4% over December levels, IABr said.

Steel products imports fell to 343,600 tons in January, 10.6% lower than in January 2010, as international steel prices rose, boosting the cost of imported products.

Export volumes meanwhile grew to 1.1 million tons, 60% higher than a year ago, IABr said.
(sourced:Dow Jones)