Brazilian crude steel production in July reached 2.5 million mt, or 28.5 percent higher than that of the previous month, announced the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS) Friday.
Though up from June, the July 2009 figure is still off by 22.8 percent from July 2008.
Crude steel accumulated production from January to July totaled 13.1 million mt and dropped 36.9 percent when compared to the same period of last year, explained the report.
Hot rolled steel production in July, which totaled 1.9 million mt, increased 14.5 percent from the previous month and decreased 15.2 percent compared to the same month of last year. Brazil's accumulated hot rolled steel product output from January to July dropped 33.8 percent when compared to the same period of time last year.
In July, Brazil's domestic sales of steel products reached 1.4 million mt and grew 9.1 percent compared to June, yet decreased compared to the same month last year by 31.6 percent. Accumulated sales from January to July totaled 8.3 million mt or 38.7 percent less than in the same period of time in 2008.
Steel product exports from Brazil in July reached 780,000 mt and were valued at US$377 million, declining 9.6 percent from June levels. Exports from January to July reached 4.3 million mt, which is 28.2 percent less than last year's numbers.
Brazil's July steel imports reached 194,000 mt, while the period of January-July saw 1.3 million mt of steel products imported or a 1.9 percent increase from the same period in 2008.
National apparent consumption of steel products in July was of 1.6 million mt or 29.1 percent lower than consumption during July 2008. The accumulated volume of consumption from January to July reached 9.6 million mt or 35.3 percent less than in the same period of time a year ago.