In 2013, Latin America's finished steel production totaled 56.4 million metric tons, one percent more than in 2012, according to Alacero, the Latin American steel association. The main finished steel producer was Brazil, with 26.3 million metric tons, accounting for 47 percent of Latin American output, followed by Mexico with 15.7 million metric tons, which accounted for 28 percent of the total. The biggest production increases were recorded in Ecuador, up by 31 percent, and Peru, up 21 percent, while Chile, Venezuela and Colombia presented production drops of 19 percent, five percent and three percent respectively, all on year-on-year basis.
Meanwhile in December last year, regional finished steel production amounted to 4.4 million metric tons, five percent more than in December 2012.
In 2013, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 65.9 million metric tons, in line with 2012. Brazil continued to be the largest regional producer, at 34.2 million metric tons, even though its output decreased by one percent year on year.
In December, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 5.39 million metric tons, seven percent higher than in December 2012.
In the January-November period last year, finished steel apparent use in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 62 million metric tons, one percent higher compared with the same period of 2012. Meanwhile in November last year, finished steel apparent use in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 4.85 million metric tons, down 11 percent year on year.
In the January-November period of last year, regional finished steel trade displayed a deficit of 10.7 million metric tons, lower than the deficit of 11.4 million metric tons registered during the same period of 2012. In the same period, every country in Latin America and the Caribbean - except Argentina and the Dominican Republic - showed finished steel trade deficits. Mexico displayed the deepest imbalance (2.5 million metric tons). Other countries with significant deficits were Colombia (1.8 million metric tons), Peru (1.5 million metric tons) and Chile (1.3 million metric tons).