Apparent rebar consumption in Mexico increased 2.4 percent, year-over-year, in May to 380,000 metric tons (mt), the highest volume in the last six months and the second consecutive annual increase, according to Mexican Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) data reviewed by SteelOrbis.
Rebar production also increased in May. The increase was 4.4 percent, year-over-year, to 381,000 mt. It is also the highest production in six months. That volume in May was not impacted by the Mining Union's blockade of ArcelorMittal facilities in the western city of Lázaro Cárdenas, which affected the supply of steel to the ArcelorMittal facilities in the central city of Celaya where it manufactures rebar.
In January-May, consumption decreased 6.1 percent to 1.65 million mt. Production decreased 11.0 percent to 1.67 million mt and exports plummeted 58.4 percent to 69,000 mt.
Industry data shows that in 2023, the leader in production was ArcelorMittal with 18.9 percent, followed by Ternium with 18.5 percent, DeAcero with 16.8 percent, Simec with 11.8 percent, Grupo Acerero with 11.6 percent, Gerdau Corsa with 8.1 percent, Tyasa with 6.1 percent, Sucero with 5.7 percent, among other participants.
The construction industry, according to Canacero, is the largest consumer of steel in the country.