Latin America imported 4.6 million mt of steel products from China in the first seven months of 2017, up 11% from the same period last year, according to data released Friday by regional steel industry association Alacero.
The imports included 4.1 million mt of rolled steel products and 494,000 mt end-user products, compared with 3.6 million mt of finished steel and 467,000 mt of end-user products in the same period of 2016.
Central America, the main export destination for China's product in the region, received 934,000 mt in the period (20% of the region's totals). Chile received 842,000 mt (18%) and Peru, 641,000 mt (14%).
During the period, the countries that saw their imports grow over year -- in percentage terms -- were Brazil (78%), Equator (62%), Dominican Republic (52%), Argentina (32%) and Chile (23%).
On the other hand, the countries that reduced their imports of steel products from China over year were Cuba (by 49%), Venezuela (44%) and Paraguay (14%).
Latin America's flat steel products imports from China in the period reached 3.1 million mt, representing 67% of China's total steel exports to the region. Of that total, alloyed sheet and coils made up 898,000 mt, followed by hot dip galvanized sheet at 765,000 mt.
Long steel products exports to Latin America made up 18% of the total, reaching 840,000 mt in the period, of which 447,000 mt was wire rod and 315,000 mt was rebar.
Seamless tubes accounted for 3% of total imports with 153,000 mt in volume.
End-user products represented 11% of imports at 494,000 mt, with welded tubes comprising 408,000 mt and wire 85,000 mt.
