According to a report by Latin American steel association Alacero, crude steel production in Latin America totaled 5.7 million metric tons during April this year, stable compared to the same month last year. In the first four months of the year, 21.5 million metric tons were produced, which was three percent lower compared to the same period of 2012. Meanwhile, Latin American finished steel production in January-April amounted to 18.3 million mt, stable compared to the same period of 2012. In April this year, regional finished steel production reached 4.8 million metric tons, three percent more than April 2012.
The region's finished steel trade deficit in the first quarter of the current year was 2.4 million metric tons, smaller than the 3.1 million mt deficit in the first three months of 2012. In the given period, Mexico displayed the most significant imbalance with a trade deficit of 1 million mt, followed by Colombia (446,000 mt), Peru (419,000 mt) and Chile (330,000 mt).
Apparent steel use in Latin America was 15.3 million mt in the first quarter of 2013, down two percent compared to the same period a year ago.
