Brazilian crude steel production increased 4.7 percent from February to March 2009, with March output totaling 1.7 million metric tons; however, when compared to the same month in 2008, production decreased 41.5 percent, according to a report from the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS) issued Tuesday.
Steel flats production in March totaled 754,700 metric tons, which is 17.6 percent higher when compared to production of the previous month, and 42.7 percent lower when compared to March of 2008.
Long products production also reflected an increase from February to March, of 9.1 percent , and a decrease of 37.3 percent when compared to March 2008.
Concerning domestic sales, March 2009 figures show a growth of 24.5 percent when compared to February and a 37.9 percent drop when compared to March 2008. Nevertheless, these statistics show a solid improvement in the domestic market at the end of the first quarter.
In relation to foreign trade, in March 2009, 534,000 mt of steel products valued at US$336 million were exported. The amount of tonnage exported increased 12.7 percent compared to February and shows a 40.5 percent drop when compared to March 2008. The increase in imports from February to March was only 1.9 percent, and a year-over-year decrease of only 0.7 percent was reported by the IBS.