Brazilian flat steel distributor sales in February rose 20.6 percent, year-on-year, the nation’s steel distributor association (Inda) said on Tuesday. Local flat distributor sales in February reached 259,800 mt, 8.5 percent down, month-on-month.
Purchases in February of flat steel by local distributors increased 16 percent, year-on-year, and 2.4 percent, month-on-month, to 257,800 mt.
Brazilian flat distributors’ inventory in February dropped 0.2 percent, month-on-month, to 866,500 mt. Inventory turnover in February rose to 3.3 months from 3.1 months in January.
Brazilian imports of flats by local distributors in February grew 2.4 percent, year-on-year, but fell 48.5 percent, month-on-month, to 60,800 mt.
Inda estimated both the sales and purchase of flats by local distributors in March will increase 9 percent, month-on-month.