Brute steel production in Brazil totaled 4.707 million tons in the first two months of the year, 9.1% less than during the same period last year.
According to data announced Thursday, March 16, by the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS), production of sheet steel was also off, by 2.4%, in comparison with 2005.
According to the IBS, the country produced 3.577 million tons of sheet steel in the first two months of this year, as against 3.664 million tons in January-February 2005.
In the opinion of the IBS technical staff, these results are in large part a reflection of production drops in February in consequence of the month’s being shorter, "together with temporary equipment shutdowns in some factories due to accidents or programmed maintenance."
When it comes to exports, the mills have increased their shipments by 38.7%, thanks to favorable world market conditions.
The regional distribution data show that Minas Gerais led the ranking of producer states during the period under analysis, with an output of 1.892 million tons of brute steel and 1.652 million tons of sheet steel and semi-finished products.
The global ranking of brute steel production continues to be led by China, which produced 30.280 million tons in January alone, 20.7% more than in January, 2005.
The European Union is in second place, with an output of 15.577 million tons, down 5.8% in relation to January, 2005.
Agência Brasil