Latin American crude steel production reached to 18.4 million mt in the first five months of 2009, which represents a drop of 35.8 percent when compared with the same period of last year. Meanwhile, primary iron ore production in the region dropped by 40.6 percent to 15.5 million mt compared to the same period last year, reported the Latin American Institute of Iron and Steel (ILAFA).
Brazil's steel production retreated by 41.7 percent in the first five months of 2009 compared to last year, reaching levels of 8.46 million mt while Mexico's dropped by 32.4 percent to total 5.36 million mt. Argentina's output contracted by 43.1 percent and reached to 1.35 million mt; Chile's decreased by 44.6 percent to 404.50 thousand mt, Paraguay's fell by 50 percent to 19.20 thousand mt; and Peru's shrank by 44.0 percent with an output of 263.00 thousand mt, detailed ILAFA.
Venezuela was the only Latin American country which recorded an increase in steel output in the January-May period of 2009 compared to that of last year, with production increasing by 1.1 percent to 1.69 million mt.
As for iron ore, Brazil's iron ore production dropped by 46.4 percent to 8.08 million mt while Mexico's declined by 37.1 percent to 2.98 million mt. Argentina's production shrank by 49.5 percent to 1.00 million mt, said ILAFA.
ILAFA also said in its report that hot rolled coil production in Latin America fell by 32.5 percent during the period, to 16.00 million mt.