The apparent consumption of cold rolled sheet coils (CRC) in Mexico returned to positive territory with an increase in August, rising 12.8 percent, year-over-year, to 379,000 metric tons (mt). It is the largest percentage increase, according to data from the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) reviewed by SteelOrbis.
In the last five months, CRC has been the third most consumed finished steel product in Mexico and the fourth in production.
CRC production recorded its eighth consecutive annual decline. In August it decreased 24,000 mt or 9.4 percent, year-over-year, to 232,000 mt.
In the international market, CRC trade flow increased 19.0 percent to 169,000 mt. Imports increased 42.3 percent to 158,000 mt. In contrast, Mexican CRC exports to the world plummeted 64.5 percent, going from 31,000 mt in August of last year to 11,000 mt in the same month of the current year.
In the accumulated period of January to August, CRC consumption decreased 5.0 percent or 146,000 mt to 2.75 million mt and production decreased 14.5 percent, compared to the January-August 2022 period, to 1.93 million mt.
The accumulated trade flow decreased 5.6 percent to 1.03 million mt. Imports increased 7.1 percent to 923,000 mt. Exports decreased 54.2 percent to only 103,000 mt.