Sales of flat steel products by Brazilian distributors reached 293,900 metric tons (mt) in January 2026, against 248,300 mt in December 2025, according to the Instituto Nacional dos Distribuidores de Aco (INDA), the Brazilian institute of the steel distributors.
On the same comparative basis, acquisitions by the distributors chain linked to INDA declined by 2.3 percent to 291,300 mt, while inventory levels declined by 0.2 percent to 1.127 million mt, representing the equivalent of 3.8 months of consumption, considered as a level high by the sector, as it exceeds the benchmark of 2.8 months.
Imports in January increased by 9.7 percent to 225,600 mt, including heavy plates, HRC, CRC, zinc-coated, HDG, pre-painted, and Galvalume products.
Compared to January 2025, sales in January 2026 declined by 8.2 percent, acquisitions declined by 14.8 percent, and imports declined by 6.6 percent.
INDA expects that, in February 2026, acquisitions will decline by 6 percent, while sales will decline by 4 percent, compared to January 2026.
Commenting the recent imposition of anti-dumping duties on CRC and coated flat products imported from China, Carlos Loureiro, the executive president of INDA, said, “Due to the high volumes involved, some supply difficulties will arise in the short term, chiefly related to availability of products and of sea freight rates at competitive rates.”
