According to data released by the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), Latin America’s crude steel production in December last year decreased by five percent year on year to five million mt. The region’s production of finished steel in December was 3.9 million mt, down eight percent year on year.
In 2018, the region’s crude steel output was 65 million mt, up one percent year on year, Alacero said, adding that Brazil was the top producer with 34.7 million mt.
Brazil’s share in the region’s total crude steel production in the year in question rose by one percent year on year to 53 percent.
Latin America’s finished steel output last year was 53.7 million mt, up two percent year on year. The top finished steel producer for the year was Brazil with 23.1 million mt.
Alacero said flats accounted for 49 percent or 26.1 million mt of Latin America’s total finished steel production of 53.7 million mt in 2018, with long steel products accounting for 48 percent or 25.9 million mt of the total, while the share of seamless steel pipes was three percent or 1.7 million mt.
In 2018, the increase in domestic consumption was not affected by the damage caused by intercontinental trade uncertainties exacerbated by the US protectionist measures, such as the rise in the dollar and the deterioration of Latin American currencies.