Paraguay imported 7,299 mt of its four most popular flat-rolled steel products in July, down 46.6% from 13,664 mt in the same month a year ago, central bank data showed Monday.
The most in-demand products last month were zincalume, cold-rolled coil, hot-rolled coil and plate, while in 2015 it was HRC, zincalume, CRC and plate. June imports of the four dominant flat products -- HRC, CRC, zincalume and plate -- totaled 15,824 mt.
Zincalume was the top flat-rolled steel import in July, totaling 3,999 mt and valued at $2.43 million FOB, or an average $608/mt. That total was up 44% from 2,770 mt in the year-ago month, which was valued at a combined $1.99 million FOB, or $718/mt. July's total increased 33.5% compared with June's 2,996 mt, which was worth $1.74 million FOB, or $581/mt. India was the main supplier, accounting for 2,404 mt of July's total.
CRC was the second largest segment of flat-rolled steel imports in July, totaling 1,307 mt, valued at $666,982 FOB or $509/mt. In July 2015, CRC imports totaled 2,428 mt, valued at $1.63 million FOB or $673/mt, a 46% difference. Month on month, it was down 65% from 3,780 mt of June, which was valued at $1.62 million FOB or $428/mt. Argentina supplied 1,306 mt of the total in July.
June imports of HRC totaled 1,273 mt, which was worth $484,546 FOB, or $380/mt, a 79% plunge from July 2015, when 6,104 mt worth $3.5 million FOB or $573/mt was imported. Argentina was the main supplier, accounting for 823 mt of July's total. On a month-on-month basis, HRC imports decreased 81% from 6,913 mt valued at $2.26 million FOB, or an average $328/mt of June.
In addition, imports of plate in July totaled 720 mt valued at $292,933 mt FOB or $405/mt. The most recent month's total was down 69% from 2,362 mt in the year-ago month, which was valued at a combined $1.36 million FOB or $578/mt. Plate imports fell 66% compared with June's 2,135 mt, which was valued at $813,959 mt FOB or $380/mt. Brazil provided 340 mt of July's total.
On the long products side, Paraguay imported 1,655 mt of rebar valued at $946,909 FOB or $571/mt in July, down 55% from 3,690 mt valued at $2.22 million FOB or $601/mt in the year-ago month. Brazil accounted for 1,572 mt of the total. On a month-on-month basis, rebar imports decreased 68% from 5,213 mt of rebar valued at $3.27 million FOB or $628/mt.
