The crude steel production in May was 4,423.7 thousand tons, a decrease of 6.3% compared to the previous month and a decrease of 11.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Regarding rolled steel production, 4,191.0 thousand tons were recorded in May, a reduction of 3.8% compared to the previous month and a decrease of 6.7% compared to May of the previous year.
But while production was down, consumption in April of this year increased compared to the previous month and the same period in 2023, which is explained by the increase in imports, mainly driven by the participation of steel from China.
In April, extraregional imports represented 95.1% of total imports, an increase of 2.6% compared to the previous month and 3.1% above the 2023 average.
Total imports represented 41% of apparent consumption in April, compared to 40% in March, a very high figure and 3% above the average recorded in 2023.
