Since the beginning of this year, steel consumption forecasts in Latin America have been continuously revised upwards, especially thanks to the buoyant dynamism of the Brazilian market and a better economic outlook in most of the regional countries, according to the Latin American Iron and Steel Institute (ILAFA).
Apparent steel consumption in Latin America is thus expected to grow by 25.3 percent this year, returning to pre-crisis levels, and to reach over 60 million metric tons in 2011, with a further 6.9 percent increase.
In 2009, apparent steel consumption of Latin America had regressed by 23.6 percent, compared to the previous year.