In Mexico, imports of steel products gained ground in the domestic market in the first quarter of 2015, with 18 percent growth over the same period of 2014. This situation affected domestic production, which saw a 6 percent drop in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year.
Media reports said apparent domestic consumption of steel increased 13 percent in the first quarter. The slowdown in infrastructure activity reduced demand for steel. As the construction industry begins to grow, and to the extent that inventories are depleted, then domestic production could be reactivated, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Mexican steel exports fell 27 percent in the first quarter. The 18 percent increase in imports during the period brought imports’ share of national apparent consumption to 46 percent.