WASHINGTON: 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.
