The value of Chile's steel-related imports jumped 48.4% to $360.9 million on a CIF basis in the second quarter from $243.2 million in the same period a year ago, according to the Chilean central bank's quarterly report on foreign trade released Wednesday.
Q2 imports also rose 4.8% from $344.3 million in Q1 2017.
Alloyed sheet was the most demanded product by volume, with imports totaling 121,822 mt (up 144.6% year on year) worth $70.8 million CIF, followed by coated flat steel -- which may include tinplate, galvanized, zincalume and pre-painted sheet -- with 118,567 mt (up 24.8% year on year) worth $93.8 million, the largest import by value.
In third place, hot-rolled coil imports totaled 70,756 mt (down 26.8% year on year) worth $38.9 million. Tube imports reached 43,178 mt (up 27% year on year) worth $37.6 million.
Cold-rolled coil imports totaled 25,922 mt, up 46.7% year on year, at a value of $16.7 million.
As for long steel products, steel bar imports decreased 15.9% to 33,305 mt and were valued at $16.6 million, followed by alloyed steel bar imports of 25,586 mt, a year-on-year increase of 29.2%, valued at $20.3 million.
Profile purchases decreased 29% year on year to 13,864 mt and were worth $8.9 million. Wire rod imports totaled 12,895 mt, up 20% year on year, valued at $6.2 million.
