According to a report by Latin American steel association Alacero, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 14.7 million metric tons during the first quarter of 2013, decreasing 11 percent compared to the same quarter last year. In March alone, 5.2 million metric tons were produced, which was 13 percent lower compared to March 2012. Meanwhile, Latin American finished steel production in January-March amounted to 8.7 million mt, falling 38.3 percent compared to the same quarter of 2012.
The region's finished steel trade deficit in the January-February period of the current year was 1.6 million tons, smaller than the 2.1 million mt deficit in the first two months of 2012. In the given period, Mexico displayed the most important imbalance with a trade deficit of 590,000 mt, followed by Colombia (312,000 mt), Peru (243,000 mt) and Chile (214,000 mt).
Apparent steel use in Latin America reached 10 million mt in the first two months of 2013, down one percent compared to the same period a year ago.