In September, Brazil exported 93,195 mt of finished steel products, with revenues of $78.720 million, and imported 382,252 mt at $278.838 million.
This compares to exports of 101,800 mt at $84.5 million and imports of 384,600 mt at $281.700 million in August.
Considering the first nine months of 2024, exports have reached 1.156 million mt at $ 997.51 million and imports have reached 2.757 million mt at $2.131 billion.
Coated flat products were the main items imported in September, representing 37 percent of the total, while rebars were the main item exported, representing 44 percent of the total.
Speaking in a conference with analysts this week, the president of the Brazilian institute of steel distributors, INDA, Carlos Loureiro, mentioned that many importers are exceeding the limits of their import quotas by using different classifications of the product, some of which by claiming that the products contain allowing elements that, in fact, do not interfere with the quality of the product.
Due to this procedure, Loureiro believes that Brazil could remain as a net importer of finished steel products, at least for the coming months, unless the customs authorities assume a proactive attitude in relation to the problem.