BNamericas reported that Latin America exported 617,123 tonne steel to the US in October up 35.3% from 456,031 tonne in the same month last year, according to figures from the US Census Bureau.

The bulk of the growth was from Brazil, which saw a 56.4% rise to 368,977 tonne, representing 59.8% of the region's total, and up from 235,937 tonne in October 2012. Mexico's steel exports to the US also rose from 201,532 tonne to 217,410 tonne , a 7.9% increase.

By value, the region's steel exports to the US in October were worth USD 438.1 million, an 18.2% increase from USD 370.7 million in the year-ago period.

The value of Brazil's exports was up 24.1% at USD 193.9 million (Oct 2012 USD 156.3mn), while in Mexico the figure was up 7.6% at USD 194.1million, from USD 180.3 million.

Argentina's exports were up from 12,095 tonne to 26,469 tonne , worth USD 45.5 million, while Colombia's exports dropped from 2,230 tonne to 347 tonne , worth USD 458,000.

Chile exported 14 tonne in the month, compared to zero in the year ago period, while exports from other South and Central American countries fell to 3,906tonne, worth USD 4 million, from 4,237tonne.

Brazil was the world's second biggest steel exporter to the US by volume in October, behind Canada, with Mexico fifth behind Korea and Russia.

Global exports to the US totaled 2.8 million tonne worth USD 2.6 billion, compared to 2.5 million tonne worth USD 2.3 billion in September, reflecting increases in blooms, billets and slabs, and oil country goods, and decreases in hot rolled sheet and reinforcing bars.