Finished steel apparent use in Latin America and de Caribbean reached 38.7 million tonnes in January/July 2013, while finished steel production was of 32.4 million tonnes, both figures dropped 1% compared to same period of 2012.

Production
After the 32.4 million tons of finished steel produced during the first seven months of the year, August 2013 production reached 4.8 million tonnes. This figure is 3% higher than that of August 2012. Venezuela and Argentina were the countries that increased their production the most, compared to August 2012, by 27% and 13% respectively. On the other hand,

Colombian, Chilean and Mexican productions continue to fall by 22%, 11% and 4% respectively.

During January/August 2013, finished steel production in the region reached 37.2 million tonnes, 1% less than same period of 2012. Brazil remains as the largest finished steel producer of the region with an output of 17.6 million tons and 47% share of regional production.

In January/August 2013, crude steel production in Latin America reached 43.2 million tons, 2% lower than the volume registered during the same period of 2012. Brazil is the larggional producer with 22.9 million tons output. However, its production decreased 1% compared to January/August 2012.

Source - Strategic Research Institute