Mexican steel output in 2015 reached the lowest level since 2009, according to the nation’s chamber of the iron and steel industry, Canacero.
Steel output in Mexico in 2015 totaled 18.2 million mt, 3.7 percent down, year-on-year, and the lowest production rate since 2009.
Canacero attributed the decline in output to the reduced capacity level of local steelmakers, which diminished from 65.7 percent in 2014 to 62.6 percent in 2015, thanks to the massive dismissals by AHMSA and ArcelorMittal that occurred in response to a rise in steel imports at “dumped” prices from countries like China.
Mexico’s steel consumption in 2015 rose 6.6 percent, year-on-year, reaching 28.8 million mt. Canacero explained that the rise was mainly a result of the increased steel imports.
Steel imports in Mexico rose 10.2 percent in 2015, year-on-year, totaling 13.6 million mt.
On the other hand, Mexican steel exports in 2015 declined 26 percent, year-on-year, reaching 4.28 million mt.