Brazil posted a significant increase in its finished steel trade deficit in May, driven by a sharp rise in imports and a modest uptick in exports, according to data released by SECEX, the country’s foreign trade authority.
Exports of finished steel totaled 113,744 metric tons (mt), valued at $91.784 million, while imports surged to 360,753 mt, costing $250.136 million. This resulted in a trade deficit of 247,009 mt in volume and $158.839 million in value.
In comparison, April saw exports of 108,628 mt worth $93.973 million and imports of 291,654 mt valued at $207.136 million, leading to a smaller deficit of 183,026 mt and $113.162 million.
The primary exported products in May were:
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Rebars (29%)
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Wire rod (23%)
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Hot-rolled coil (HRC) (17%)
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Beams (16%)
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Coated flat products (10%)
Meanwhile, imports were dominated by:
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Coated flat products (46%)
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HRC (26%)
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Cold-rolled coil (CRC) (8%)
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Wire rod (6%)
The data highlights continued pressure on Brazil’s domestic steel producers as import volumes climb amid challenging global market conditions.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
