Apparent consumption of galvanized sheet (HDG) in Mexico registered its third consecutive increase and in August it is the largest increase so far this year with 18.2 percent, year-over-year, to 416,000 metric tons (mt), the highest volume consumed at least so far this year, according to data from the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) reviewed by SteelOrbis.
For the fifth consecutive month, HDG is the second most consumed steel product in Mexico, only surpassed by hot rolled sheet coils (HRC).
Production increased 14.0 percent, year-over-year, in August to 285,000 mt. It is the fifth consecutive annual increase and the sixth increase in the first eight months of the year. In August, HDG production was moved to third position by volume, it was surpassed by hot rolled coils (HRC) and by rod it is the most produced steel product in Mexico.
Domestic HDG production contributed 68.5 percent of total consumption, down 2.5 percentage points from August last year.
International HDG trade flow increased 10.8 percent to total 206,000 mt. Exports decreased 9.5 percent, year-over-year, totaling 38,000 mt. Imports increased 16.7 percent to 168,000 mt.
In the accumulated to August, consumption increased 6.3 percent to 2.97 million mt, production increased 4.6 percent to 2.2 million mt. Trade flow decreased 8.6 percent to 1.35 million mt. Imports decreased 2.1 percent to 1.06 million mt and exports decreased 26.4 percent to 289,000 mt.
Industry data shows that the producers of galvanized sheet in Mexico are Ternium, Tyasa, Posco México, Villacero and Nucor-JFE Steel México.