The apparent consumption of hot rolled coils (HRC) in Mexico decreased 2.3 percent, year-over-year, in May to 432,000 metric tons (mt), the first annual drop and the third consecutive month that it remains the finished steel product with the highest consumption in the country, according to data from the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) reviewed by SteelOrbis.
HRC production in Mexico totaled 290,000 mt in May, down 19.9 percent, year-over-year, the lowest level of production in the last three months and the second consecutive annual drop.
National production contributed 67.1 percent of total consumption, 14.8 percentage points less compared to the same month last year.
International HRC trade in Mexico increased 10.5 percent or 16,000 mt to 168,000 mt. That increase is explained by the increase of 33.6 percent in HRC imports to 155,000 mt. In contrast, exports decreased 63.9 percent to 13,000 mt.
In the accumulated January-May period, consumption increased 10.6 percent to 2.02 million mt, production grew marginally 0.6 percent to 1.52 million mt. Trade flow decreased 21.0 percent to 643,000 mt; exports decreased 71.3 percent to 71,000 mt and imports increased 1.2 percent to 572,000 mt.
Industry data shows that HRC producers in Mexico are Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA, halted), TYASA, Ternium and ArcelorMittal.