Even though Brazil registered a 12.4% drop in the production of crude steel during the month of April, which represented 2.41 million tons, the country still holds the leading position in the ranking of greatest steel producers in Latin America.
Next are Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela. The information was released today, May 24, in Rio de Janeiro, by the Brazilian Steelworks Institute (IBS).
The entity’s spokesman attributed the drop in the production in April to the furnace that stopped in the National Steelworks Company (CSN). If this fact isn’t considered, the production rhythm observed is the same as last year.
In the accumulated value from January to April, there was also a drop in the production of crude steel of 10.2%, adding up to 9.6 million tons against 10.6 million tons in the first quarter of 2005.
Sales to the domestic market increased by 2.6% in April. According to the IBS, the increase in 7.9% in internal sales of long laminates confirms the more intense rhythm in civil construction rhythm in Brazil, concentrated in the habitation area.
External sales, in turn, experienced a drop in 6.6%. According to the institute, the priority in selling to the internal market explains the drop in 38.5% in sales of long products to the foreign market.
ABr