According to a release from Alacero, finished steel production in Latin America and the Caribbean reached a cumulative total of 37.2 million tons in January through August 2013, reflecting a decrease of 1 percent from the same period of 2012. Brazil remained the largest finished steel producer in the region with an output of 17.6 million tons--a 47 percent share of regional production. Mexico followed with 10.1 million tons and a 27 percent share.
In the same cumulative eight-month period, crude steel production in Latin America reached 43.2 million tons, 2 percent lower than the same period of 2012. Brazil's output reached 22.9 million tons, a 1 percent decrease from the comparative period of 2012.
In August alone, finished steel production in the region reached 4.8 million tons, a 3 percent increase from August 2012. Venezuela and Argentina increased their production the most year-on-year, by 27 percent and 13 percent, respectively. On the other hand, steel production in Colombia, Chile and Mexico fell in August, by 22 percent, 11 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
Also in August, crude steel production reached 5.7 million tons in the region, 4 percent more than production registered in August 2012.
As for steel trade, data available for the January through July period revealed that finished steel trade in Latin America registered a deficit of 6.7 million tons, slightly lower than the 7.3 million ton deficit observed during the same period of 2012. In January-July 2013, every country of Latin America and the Caribbean--with the exception of Argentina and the Dominican Republic--showed a deficit in their finished steel trade balance. Mexico exhibited the most important imbalance (-1.7 million tons). Other countries that recorded significant deficits were: Colombia (-1 million tons), Peru (-912,000 tons) and Chile (-821,000 tons).