Brazilian sales of flat steel products by local distributors in January increased 18.8 percent, year-on-year, to 283,800 mt, the nation’s steel distributors association, Inda, said on Tuesday.
Data from the local steel distributor association indicated sales of flats in the first month of the year also rose 24.4 percent, month-on-month, when compared to December.
Purchases of flat steel by local steel distributors in January totaled 251,800 mt, 0.7 percent up, year-on-year, and 13.9 percent up, month-on-month.
Distributors’ flat steel inventory in January decreased 3.6 percent, month-on-month, to 868,500 mt. Inventory turnover fell to 3.1 months from 4.1 months in December last year.
Imports of flat steel products in January dropped 5.2 percent, year-on-year, but rose 41.7 percent, month-on-month, to 118,200 mt.
Inda forecasted both the sales and purchases of flats in February by Brazilian distributors to drop 15 percent, month-on-month.