Flat steel sales by Brazilian distributors in January rose 16.2 percent, year-over-year, and 12.7 percent, month-over-month, to 324,600 mt, flat steel distributors association Inda said this week.
Flat steel purchases by local distributors in January grew 13 percent, year-over-year, and 0.8 percent, month-over-month, to 335,900 mt.
Flat steel inventory in the first month of the year improved 1.7 percent, month-over-month, to 686,900 mt. Inventory turnover in January declined to 2.1 months, from 2.3 months in December 2020.
Brazilian distributor imports of flat steel products in January increased 51.9 percent, year-over-year, and 75 percent, month-over-month, to 161,400 mt.
Inda estimated both the purchases and sales of flat steel products by distributors in February to decrease 5 percent, month-over-month.