Finished steel apparent use in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 50 million tons in January-September this year, similar to the same period in 2012, according to Alacero, the Latin American steel association. Finished steel production in the region had increased by one percent year on year in the given period to reach 41 million tons.
Meanwhile, in the January-October period this year, Latin America's finished steel production totaled 47.5 million tons, one percent more than the same period of 2012. The main finished steel producer was Brazil, with 22 million tons, accounting for 46 percent of the Latin American output, followed by Mexico with 13 million tons (28 percent). Peru increased its production by 18 percent, while Chile and Colombia presented production drops of 16 percent and seven percent respectively, all on year-on-year basis.
In October this year, finished steel regional production amounted to 5 million tons, eight percent more than in October 2012. Argentina increased its production by 27 percent and Colombia by 25 percent, both year on year. On the other hand, in Venezuela and Chile production fell 13 and 11 percent respectively, year on year.
In January-October this year, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 54 million tons, two percent less than in the same period of 2012. Brazil continues to be the largest regional producer, at 28.9 million tons, even though its output decreased by one percent year on year.
In October of the current year, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 5.8 million tons, similar to October 2012, with year-on-year increases in Colombia (27 percent), Argentina (15 percent) and Mexico (four percent).
In the January-September period, regional finished steel trade displayed a deficit of 8.2 million tons, slightly lower than the deficit of 9.4 million tons registered during the same period of 2012. In January-September this year, 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 million tons). Other countries with significant deficits were Colombia (1.3 million tons), Peru (1.1 million tons) and Chile (990,000 tons).