According to a statement released by the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), in October this year Latin American rolled steel consumption amounted to 5.2 million metric tons, increasing six percent compared to the same month last year, while rolled steel production in the region was recorded at 4.9 million mt.
During the first 10 months of the year, Latin America's apparent consumption of rolled steel reached a volume of 52.3 million metric tons, up 3.1 percent compared to the same period last year. Brazil's rolled steel consumption in October decreased 6.7 percent compared to October 2010, while Argentina, Chile and Colombia had increases of 14 percent, 17 percent and 22 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, Latin America's steel exports in October this year totaled 745,200 mt, decreasing 24 percent compared to the peak level of 981,200 mt recorded in January 2011. Exports contracted in Colombia and Peru in October 2011, while all the other countries in the region, especially Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay, recorded an increase compared with October 2010.
The region's steel imports amounted to 1.4 million mt in October this year, increasing by over 20 percent compared with October 2010. Almost all countries of the region recorded year-on-year increases, with the exception of Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay.