South American crude steel output plunged in March

Published: Apr 22, 2016 13:58
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 March this year.

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

April 22, 2016 01:07:29 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 March this year. The total monthly output declined by 13.3% to 3.211 Million tonnes.

The total crude steel production by Argentina during March was 318,000 tonnes, down considerably by 26.1% than the March 2015 production of 430,000 tonnes. Brazil produced 2.506 Million tonnes of crude steel, dropping by 9.5% when compared to 2.768 Million tonnes production achieved during March last year. The Chilean March crude steel production recovered sharply by over 26% to 105,000 tonnes in March this year. The total crude steel production by Colombia dropped marginally by 2.3% to 90,000 tonnes in March this year.

Ecuador’s crude steel output dropped significantly by 10.69% on year-on-year basis. The crude steel output by Ecuador was 50,000 tonnes in March this year, down when compared with 56,000 tonnes during March last year.  Paraguay’s crude steel output surged higher by 44.1% during the month.

The crude steel output by Peru dropped sharply by 24% year-on-year. The crude steel output of Uruguay dropped slightly when compared with the year before levels. Venezuelan production dropped considerably by 65% year-on-year from 170,000 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes.

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

Country

3 months (2016)

3 months (2015)

% Change

Argentina

986

1,192

-17.3

Brazil

7,392

8,431

-12.3

Chile

306

276

+11.1

Colombia

254

252

+0.6

Ecuador

146

155

-5.7

Paraguay

10

8

+21.1

Peru

195

261

-25.4

Uruguay

15

15

+0.7

Venezuela

171

443

-61.4

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes


Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
14 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
14 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
14 hours ago
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
14 hours ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
15 hours ago
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
15 hours ago
South American crude steel output plunged in March - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)