According to a report released by Alacero on Monday, finished steel apparent use in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 44.9 million tons from January to August 2013, similar to the same period of 2012. Finished steel production increased 1 percent to reach 37.7 million tons.

Between January and September, Latin America reached a finished steel production of 42.8 million tons, 2 percent more than the same period of 2012. The main finished steel producer is Brazil, with 19.9 million tons, accounting for 46 percent of the Latin American output. It is followed by Mexico, with 11.9 million tons (28 percent). Chile and Colombia presented production drops of 16 percent and 12 percent respectively, compared to the same period of 2012.

In September 2013, finished steel regional production reached 5.1 million tons, 9 percent more than in September 2012. Argentina increased its production 17 percent y-o-y; Mexico, 11 percent. On the other hand, Colombian production fell 4 percent. During January-September 2013, crude steel production in Latin America reached 49.7 million tons, in line with the same period of 2012. Brazil continues to be the largest regional producer, at 25.9 million tons, even when its output decreased 1 percent y-o-y.

In September 2013, crude steel production reached 6 million tons, 9 percent more than production registered in September 2012. This result is mainly due to increase in Peru (18 percent), Argentina (17 percent), Mexico (13 percent), Venezuela (12 percent) and Brazil (6 percent).

During January to August 2013, regional finished steel trade displayed a deficit of 7.6 million tons, slightly lower than the 8.4 million unbalance tons registered during the same period of 2012. In January-August 2013, every country in Latin America and the Caribbean--except Argentina and Dominican Republic--showed finished steel trade deficits. Mexico displayed the deepest unbalance (down 2 million tons). Other countries with significant deficits were: Colombia (down 1.2 million tons), Peru (down 1 million tons) and Chile (down 937,000 tons).