Flat-rolled steel inventories in Brazil down 3.8 percent

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

According to the Brazilian Steel Distributors' Institute (INDA) and the Brazilian Steel Institute (IABr), flat-rolled steel inventories in Brazil totaled 1.157 million metric tons in January, a 3.8 percent decrease from December due to fewer imports into the country.

Flat steel imports fell 42 percent year-on-year last month, to 130,000 metric tons, from the 225,000 metric tons in January 2009. Month-on-hand inventories were about 3.4 months, down 0.9 months from month-on-hand inventories in December.

(sourced:steelorbis)
Tags: hrc , crc , galvanized , coated , flats , Brazil , South America , distribution , steelmaking , trading

Brazil saw increases in crude steel production and steel export levels in January

Monday, 21 February 2011

According to a Friday statement from the Brazilian Steel Institute (IABr), Brazilian steelmakers produced 2.8 million metric tons of crude steel in January, an increase of 3.8 percent year-on-year, and 16.2 percent month-on-month.

Product-specific results showed that flat rolled steel output totaled 2.1 million tons, reflecting an increase of 0.4 percent from January 2010, and a 15.4 percent increase from December 2010, when many Brazilian mills reduced output in response to a rise in steel import levels and difficulty securing coal supplies.

In fact, January steel imports were 10.6 percent lower year-on-year, at 343,600 tons, due to rising international steel prices. However, export levels increased to 1.1 million tons, a 60 percent increase from January 2010. As for sales, domestic steel products sales increased 4.5 percent year-on-year in January, to 1.7 million tons, which also reflected an 11.4 percent increase from the prior month.

(sourced:steelorbis)
Tags: hrc , crude steel , crc , raw mat , flats , Brazil , South America , steelmaking , production , imp/exp statistics , Hot Rolled Coil , Cold Rolled Coil