São Paulo – Sales of laminated and long steel hit a record high in May. A total of 1.9 million tonnes were sold, representing growth of 13% in comparison with the same month in 2007. The figures were disclosed today (19th) by the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS).
According to the IBS, there was an expansion in purchases across all segments of the industry, especially in the automobile, civil construction and distribution sectors.
Production of raw steel in the country totalled 3 million tonnes in May, according to IBS, growth of 2.8% over the same month last year.
Exports of finished steel products, on the other hand, saw a 25.6% decrease in the month. According to the institute, this occurred because products were redirected to cater to the domestic demand. In the field of semi-finished products, however, there was a 4.7% rise in foreign sales, as a result of expansion in installed capacity of the national industry.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
