Latin American steel output flat in July

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Output reached 5.96 million tonnes in July, level with a year earlier, the figures showed, although these included some estimates rather than reported numbers.

Production has probably decreased year-on-year, however, as Alacero estimated an output of 474,000 tonnes in Argentina, which would mean a 4% decrease.

Figures released by Argentina’s own steel association, Acero Argentino, earlier on Tuesday showed that July’s output actually plunged by nearly 30% to 344,000 tonnes, as a consequence of maintenance work carried out by two local steelmakers.

Alacero’s figures for Brazil showed that the region’s largest crude steel producer reported a 4% year-on-year decrease to 3 million tonnes.

Mexico produced 1.68 million tonnes, up by 7% year-on-year, but Venezuela recorded a 15% fall, to 228,000 tonnes.

Crude steel output totalled 39.62 million tonnes between January and July, down by 1% from the same period in 2011.

Finished steel production increased, however, both in July and in the first seven months of 2012.

In July, output rose by 14% year-on-year to 5.22 million tonnes, while in January-July the increase reached 5%, at 33.99 million tonnes.