Brazilian sales of flat steel by local distributors in February fell 11.3 percent, year-on-year, to 215,500 mt, the country’s steel distributors association, Inda, said on Tuesday, while sales declined 9.8 percent on a month-on-month basis.
Purchases of flats by local distributors in February dropped 1.2 percent, year-on-year, and 11.1 percent, month-on-month, to 222,200 mt.
Inventories at local distributors slightly improved by 0.7 percent, month-on-month in February, reaching 918,300 mt.
Inventory turnover in February rose to 4.3 months from 3.8 months in January.
Imports of flats in February rose 144.3 percent, year-on-year, but declined 52.4 percent, month-on-month, to 59,400 mt.
Inda said it expects both purchases and sales of flat steel products to increase 25 percent in March compared to February totals.