By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

March 23, 2016 12:40:05 AM

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by South American countries dropped significantly during the month of February this year. The total monthly output declined by 9.4% to 3.180 Million tonnes.

The total crude steel production by Argentina during February was 339,000 tonnes, down considerably by 10.1% than the February 2015 production of 377,000 tonnes. Brazil produced 2.434 Million tonnes of crude steel, dropping by 8.7% when compared to 2.667 Million tonnes production achieved during February last year. The Chilean February crude steel production recovered marginally by 0.4% to 95,000 tonnes in February this year. The total crude steel production by Colombia plunged by nearly 19% to 70,000 tonnes in February this year.

Ecuador’s crude steel output dropped significantly by 14.9% on year-on-year basis. The crude steel output by Ecuador was 45,000 tonnes in February this year, down when compared with 53,000 tonnes during February last year.  Paraguay’s crude steel output too tumbled by 70% during the month.

The crude steel output by Peru increased by 3.6% year-on-year. The crude steel output of Uruguay dropped sharply when compared with the year before levels. Venezuelan production dropped considerably by 22.3% year-on-year from 142,000 tonnes to 110,000 tonnes.

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the first two months in 2016 in comparison with those during same period in 2015.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes