According to the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel (CANACERO), cumulative production of Mexican steel grew 3.4 percent in the first quarter of the year to reach 4.5 million tons, against 4.4 million tons in the same period last year.
Among the products recorded higher growth in domestic production were structural profiles (up 23.4 percent), tin sheet (up 66.6 percent), chrome sheet (up 28.3 percent) welded pipes for oil use (up 41.7 percent ), welded pipes for structural and mechanical use (up 38.4 percent), line pipe for oil use (up 51.6 percent) and piling for structural use (up 28.1 percent).
In contrast, products with lower growth in production during the period were commercial profiles (down 29.6 percent), bars (down 12.4 percent) and welded line pipe for water use (down 28.9 percent).
During the mentioned period, imports fell 20 percent to 2.04 million tons compared to 2.5 million tons last year. Meanwhile, exports increased 17.6 percent to total 1.3 million tons versus 1.1 million tons last year.
As for apparent domestic consumption, there was a cumulative decline in the first quarter of 6.6 percent (5.5 million tons in the first quarter 2013 versus 5.8 million tons in the same quarter last year).