Brazilian flat steel distributor sales in March increased 19 percent, year-on-year, and 1 percent, month-on-month, to 312,900 mt, according to data released by the local flat steel distributors association (Inda).
Purchases of flat steel products by distributors in March dropped 3.6 percent, year-on-year, but rose 14.2 percent, month-on-month, to 273,400 mt. Flat steel inventory in March declined 4.4 percent, month-on-month, to 853,800 mt, while inventory turnover fell to 2.7 months, from 2.9 months in February this year.
Brazilian flat steel imports by local distributors in March decreased 0.5 percent, year-on-year, but improved 30.5 percent, month-on-month, to 123,000 mt.
Inda estimated both the sales and purchases of flat steel products by Brazilian distributors in April to drop 10 percent on a month-on-month basis.