Brazil's apparent steel consumption fell 6.4% in September compared to the corresponding month in 2018, amid declining demand for domestic and imported materials, the national industry association Instituto Aço Brasil said on Thursday October 17.
Brazilian steel consumption was 1.78 million tons in September, up from 1.9 million tons a year earlier. Consumption of flat products was 1.03 million tonnes, down 7% from September 2018, while demand for long steel reached 743,000 tonnes, down 5.6%.
Brazilian domestic steel sales totaled 1.61 million tonnes for the reporting period, down 5.9% year-on-year. At the same time, imports fell to 184,000 tons, down 18.2% from September 2018.
Prices at Brazilian steel mills have declined in the past few months as the global downturn and weak domestic market put pressure on quotes.
