Latin American finished steel imports and exports both increased year-on-year in the first quarter of 2017, Kallanish learns from steel producers association Alacero.

The region imported 5.6 million tonnes of finished products in Q1, 14% more than the same period of 2016. 67% of total finished steel imports in January-March were flat products (3.7mt), longs totalled 39% (1.7mt) and pipes 2% (134,000t). Currently, imports represent 34% of the region’s finished steel consumption which creates disincentives for local industry, trade friction and affects negatively local employment, Alacero says

The countries of the region continue to face imports under conditions of unfair trade, mainly against Chinese steel products. “There are currently 59 actions in force, 37 against China and 14 actions in progress, of which 12 are against China,” the association said recently (see Kallanish 24 May).

Latin America exports of finished products reached 2.3mt in Q1, an 8% increase y-o-y. According to data, the region exported 1.2mt of flat products during the period, 872,000t of long products and 253,000t of seamless pipes.

During January-March 2017, Latin America recorded a trade deficit of 3.3mt of finished steel, 19% more in volume than in the same period of 2016. Brazil and Argentina were the only countries with a trade surplus of finished steel at 642,000t and 29,000t, respectively. The largest deficit was seen in Mexico at a negative 1.4mt.