Latin American steel imports from China report marginal rise in 2015

SAO PAULO (Scrap Monster):  According to latest statistics released by the Latin American Steel Association (ALACERO), the imports of Chinese finished steel by the Latin American region increased marginally by nearly 1% during the entire year 2015 upon comparison with the previous year.

The Chinese exports totaled 109.6 million tons during 2015. The Latin American region imported 9.4 million tonnes out of this, thus accounting for 8.6% share of the total Chinese exports during the year. Latin America was third largest importer of Chinese steel after South Korea and Vietnam during the period. The imports by South Korea and Vietnam totaled 13.5 million mt and 10.0 million mt respectively.

Country-wise, the major importers of Chinese steel in the region during the year 2015 were:- Central America (1.8 million mt, 19%), Chile (1.3 million mt, 14% of the region), and Brazil (1.2 million mt, 13%).

According to Alacero data, finished steel goods constituted 8.4 million mt out of the 9.4 million mt of steel imports by the region from China during the year. The remaining 1 million constituted other steel products. Also, flat steel products accounted for 4.6 million mt and long products imports totaled 3.4 million mt. The balance constituted other steel products including seamless tubes.