Steel consumption in Mexico increased 21.8 percent, year-over-year, to 2.72 million metric tons (mt), the 11th consecutive annual increase and the fourth double-digit annual increase, according to data from the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) reviewed by SteelOrbis.
Unlike consumption’s positive trend, liquid steel production in Mexico registered the 10th consecutive annual decline, decreasing 7.2 percent, year-over-year, to 1.30 million mt. The decline is attributed to the continued halt in production at Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) since the beginning of the year.
With the negative production trend, it is the fifth time in at least the last 11 months that consumption has doubled the volume of steel produced in Mexico. For every 100 mt consumed, Mexico manufactured only 47.9 mt, the rest was compensated with imports.
Production of finished steel products in September broke the negative trend of the last six months, growing 2.9 percent, year-over-year, to 1.60 million mt.
In contrast, in September the consumption of finished steel products registered another increase, now 22.1 percent compared to the same month last year, totaling 2.40 million mt.
In the accumulated period of January-September, liquid steel production was 12.11 million mt, 12.3 percent less compared to the same period last year. In contrast, liquid steel consumption in the same period increased 14.5 percent to 24.38 million mt.
For its part, the manufacturing of finished steel products accumulated until September was 14.48 million mt, 1.6 percent less compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, accumulated consumption totaled 21.48 million mt, 14.4 percent more.
Data from The World Steel Association from 2022 places Mexico as the fourteenth largest producer of liquid steel in the world.