Brazil’s crude steel output decreased by 9pc to 32.2mn mt in 2019, compared to 2018, according to data released by Aço Brazil, the country’s steel institute.
Finished steel production in 2019 fell by 6.3pc to 22.1mn mt, compared with 2018, while flat steel output declined by 8.5pc to 13mn mt and long steel production decreased by 3.1pc to 9.1mn mt. The sale of semifinished steel products also saw a 10.9pc decrease to 8.8mn mt in 2019 and slab output was down by 11.5pc to 7.7mn mt.
The Aço Brazil data indicated that apparent steel consumption dropped by 2.7pc to 20.6mn mt in 2019, compared with 2018. Consumption of flat steel products also decreased by 3.7pc during the same period to 12.2mn mt, while consumption of long steel products fell by 1.1pc to 8.3mn mt.
Imports of steel products dipped by 1.9pc to 2.3mn mt in 2019, compared to 2018. Of this amount, imports of flat steel products fell 9.8pc to 1.2mn mt.
Exports also declined by 8.1pc to 12.8mn mt in 2019 compared to 2018, while shipments of semifinished steel product fell 5.7pc to 8.6mn mt. Flat steel exports went down by 13.8pc to 2.1mn mt, Aço Brazil reported.