Brazilian flat steel sales by local distributors in September rose 5.6 percent, year-on-year, but declined 12 percent, month-on-month, to 265,400 mt, the country’s steel distributors association (Inda) said this week.
According to Inda, purchases of flat steel products by local distributors in September were mostly stable, with a slight 0.1 percent increase, year-on-year. When compared to August, flat steel purchases by Brazilian distributors declined 4.8 percent, month-on-month, to 263,300 mt.
Flat steel inventory at Brazilian distributors in September fell 0.2 percent, month-on-month, to 895,400 mt. Inventory turnover rose from 3 to 3.4 months.
Imports of flat steel products in September surged 116.9 percent, year-on-year, and rose 17.2 percent, month-on-month, to 136,400 mt.
As for October, Inda forecasted both the purchase and sales of flat steel to rise about 5 percent, month-on-month.