Paraguay imported 13,752 mt of its three most in-demand flat steel products in September, 31.3% more than the 10,474 mt imported in September 2014, according to data released Monday by the country's central bank.
The products were hot-rolled coil, plate and cold-rolled coil steel, while in the ninth month of 2014 the three most in-demand flat steel products were plate, cold-rolled coil and zincalume sheet.
Imports of HRC were nearly half the overall total at 6,304 mt, and were worth $3.14 million FOB, of which Argentina supplied 4,023 mt. China and Brazil were the other origins for Paraguay's HRC purchases.
Plate imports totaled 3,502 mt worth $1.71 million FOB, of which China accounted for 2,155 mt, with Brazil and Argentina providing smaller amounts.
Historically, Paraguay used to take virtually all its imports of both HRC and plate from Argentina.
The CRC imports, which totaled 3,945 mt and were worth $2.24 million FOB, were mostly split between Argentina and China.
Paraguay's long steel imports in September included 2,683 mt of rebar worth $1.74 million FOB, which was less than half of September 2014's 6,239 mt. Brazil supplied 2,242 mt of the September total.
