SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by South American countries increased during the month of February this year. The total monthly output climbed higher by 2.6% to 3.512 Million tonnes.

 

The total crude steel production by Argentina during February was 377,000 tonnes, down 1.0% than the February 2014 production of 380,000 tonnes. Brazil produced 2.681 Million tonnes of crude steel, higher by 2.3% when compared to 2.622 Million tonnes production achieved during February last year. The Chilean February crude steel production saw sharp dip of 5.4% from 90,000 tonnes in February ‘14 to 85,000 tonnes in February this year. The total crude steel production by Colombia was up 18.1% to 80,000 tonnes in February this year.

 

Ecuador’s crude steel production dropped marginally on year-on-year basis. The crude steel output by Ecuador was 45,000 tonnes in February this year, 4.8% lower than 47,000 tonnes during February last year.  Paraguay’s crude steel output surged higher by nearly 56% during the month.

 

The crude steel output by Peru went higher by 0.3% year-on-year. The crude steel output of Uruguay climbed higher by 51.7% from 7,000 tonnes in February last year to 10,000 tonnes in Feb ‘15. Venezuelan production soared higher by 19.3% year-on-year from 122,000 tonnes to 145,000 tonnes.

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the first two months in 2015 in comparison with those during same period in 2014.

Country	2 months (2015)	2 months (2014)	% Change
Argentina	763	777	-1.9
Brazil	5,646	5,374	+5.1
Chile	180	185	-2.6
Colombia	167	155	+7.9
Ecuador	94	97	-2.4
Paraguay	6	4	+41.2
Peru	178	178	+0.1
Uruguay	20	7	+203.4
Venezuela	304	281	+8.4

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes