Brazilian flat distributor sales in August rose nearly 20 percent, year-on-year, according to data released on Tuesday by the country’s steel distributors association, Inda.
According to Inda, local flat steel sales in August reached 301,700 mt, 13.8 percent up, month-on-month.
Purchase of flats by Brazilian distributors in August improved 4.6 percent, year-on-year, and 17.8 percent, when compared to July, reaching 276,700 mt.
Distributors’ flat steel inventory in August dropped 2.7 percent, month-on-month, to 897,500 mt. Inventory turnover in August fell to 3 months from 3.5 months in July this year.
Imports of flats in August declined 1.3 percent, month-on-month, but rose 160.8 percent, year-on-year, to 116,400 mt.
Inda’s forecast for both the purchase and sale of flats by local distributors in September reflects a decline of 5 percent, month-on-month.