Export pig iron shipments from Brazil increased 9.61 percent year-on-year in November, totaling 176,912 mt compared to 161,393 mt in the same month a year earlier, according to data from the Brazilian foreign trade ministry MDIC.
The Netherlands was the largest consumer of Brazilian export pig iron at 63,020 mt, up from 54,033 mt year-on-year. Mexico was the second source of demand at 32,082 mt in November compared to 8,805 mt a year earlier. The US imported 21,010 mt of pig iron from Brazil in November 2016, down from 81,785 mt in November 2015.
To put in perspective from activity four to five years ago, Brazil's pig iron producers exported 222,262 mt in November 2012, which was 25 percent lower than November 2011's total of 296,343 mt. In November 2012, 184,858 mt went to the US, against 203,876 mt in November 2011.