According to Mexico's National Chamber of Iron and Steel Industry Mexico reached 18.1 million tonne of steel production at the end of 2012 a largely unchanged total compared to 2011.
Steel consumption grew from 21.2 million tonne in 2011 to 23.6 million tonne in 2012 an increase of 11.2%.
Foreign trade of steel products resulted in a remarkable growth in imports from 7.1million tonne in 2011 to 9.6 million tonne in 2012. However exports declined from 5.9 to 5.2 million tonne for the same years.
The trade deficit grew 279.5% by volume and 89.6% in value; in 2011 it was 1.2 million tonne at USD 3.186 million and in 2012 amounted to 4.5 million tonne with a value of USD 6.038 million.
The United States reduced its presence as a major source of imports going from 52% to 41.5% from 2011 to 2012 as well as Canada which registered a drop from 7% to 6% YoY.
The representation of steel imports from countries without trade agreement on the other hand showed significant growth in the national total. Most notably South Korea went from 4.4% to 8.5%; China's share grew from 3.9% to 5.4%; Brazil increased from 2.2% to 5.1%; Russia surged from 1.5% to 4.7% and Ukraine grew from 1.2% to 2.2%.
Source - steelorbis.com
