Brazilian apparent steel use will be higher than previously expected during 2018 and is estimated to grow again in 2019 while the industry moves on from a crisis with better economic prospects, local steel association A??o Brasil said on Wednesday December 5.
Steel products consumption is set to reach 21.17 million tonnes this year, up by 5.3% from 19.57 million tonnes in 2017. Apparent use will then jump by 6.2% in 2019 to 22.47 million tonnes, according to A??o Brasil added.In late July, the association had predicted that Brazilian apparent steel consumption would rise by 4.9% year on year in 2018, to 20.12 million tonnes.Most of the expected growth would be driven by domestic supply, not imports, A??o Brasil noted. Domestic sales volumes are estimated to reach 18.83 million tonnes in 2018, up 8.9% from 17.29 million tonnes last year; for 2019, Brazilian...