Brazilian flat steel distributor sales in December dropped 17.3 percent, year-on-year, and declined 28.1 percent, month-on-month, to 188,600 mt, the nation’s flat steel distributors association (Inda) said this week.
Purchases of flat steel products in December totaled 196,900 mt, 10.9 percent down, year-on-year, and 27.1 percent down, month-on-month.
Flat steel inventory at local distributors in December grew 0.9 percent, month-on-month, to 939,400 mt, while inventory turnover rose from 3.6 months in November to 5 months in December.
Brazilian imports of flat steel products by distributors in December was 94,800 mt, 13.7 percent up, year-on-year, and 5.6 percent up, month-on-month.
Inda estimated the sales and purchases of flat steel products by local distributors in January will both increase approximately 40 percent on a month-on-month basis.