LONDON: Paraguay imported 6,084 mt of its three dominant flat-rolled steel products in January, down 40.6% from the 10,254 mt imported in the same month of 2015, data from the country’s central bank showed Thursday.
Last month, the three products most demanded were hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil and plate, the same as in January 2015. Imports of HRC were the most prevalent in the country in January, totaling 3,049 mt worth $1.3 million FOB ($433/mt), 20.8% lower than the 3,850 mt worth $2.5 million FOB ($655/mt) imported in the same period in 2015. Argentina was the main supplier, accounting for 2,550 mt. Month on month, HRC imports dropped 52.3% from 6,397 mt ($2.7 million FOB, or $432/mt) in December.
Imports of CRC in Paraguay dropped 50.1% year on year to 1,907 mt ($970,891 FOB, or $508/mt), of which 1,402 mt were supplied by Argentina. In January 2015, the imported CRC volume totaled 3,824 mt ($2.5 million FOB, or $667/mt). Compared with December, CRC imports plunged 40% from 3,183 mt ($1.6 million FOB, or $502/mt).
Purchases of plate reached 1,128 mt ($580,335 FOB, or $514/mt) in January, 56.3% less than the 2,580 mt ($1.6 million FOB, or $632/mt) imported in January 2015. Brazil sold 600 mt of the total, followed by Argentina with 491 mt. Month on month, plate imports decreased 32.3% from 1,666 mt ($791.978 FOB, or $474/mt).
Zincalume imports in January showed the highest decline, with 509 mt ($329.900 FOB, or $646/mt), compared with 2,145 mt in the year-ago month ($1.8 million FOB, or $881/mt), a 76.3% difference. South Korea exported 412 mt of this total. Compared with December, zincalume imports represented a 90.8% decrease from 5,555 mt ($3.69 million FOB, or $664/mt).
Regarding long products, Paraguay imported 2,063 mt of rebar ($1.4 million FOB, or $608/mt) in January, down 13.1% from 2,375 mt ($1.7 million FOB, or $717/mt) in January 2015. Brazil remained the main supplier, accounting for 1,197 mt.
