Brazilian steelmaker Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém (CSP) reported a dip in steel slab exports by 3.7pc to 1.57mn mt in January through July this year, compared to the prior-year period.
CSP shipped 1.63mn mt of slab between January and July last year, the company told Davis Index, adding that the market is experiencing a full economic recovery, after the COVID-19 related shutdowns.
Of the total exports to China this year, 45,929mt was shipped in May, 48,507mt in June, and 177,257mt in July, it said without disclosing prior-year figures.
CSP considers the total amount of exports as a satisfactory result, taking into consideration the global pandemic, the company said, adding that it is searching for the safest and most effective solutions to maintain production with the least possible impact in every aspect, due to the pandemic.
Exports of steel slabs:
| Month | 2020 | Change | 2019 |
| January | 260,847 | -1.29pc | 264,252 |
| February | 205,784 | -18.9pc | 253,879 |
| March | 285,093 | 43.3pc | 198,894 |
| April | 181,825 | -29pc | 256,123 |
| May | 174,347 | -12.7pc | 199,686 |
| June | 218,836 | -15.6pc | 259,291 |
| July | 250,79 | +21.2pc | 206,634 |
CSP, which exports its products to more than 10 countries, is located at the Port of Pecém Industrial Complex.
The company also announced in a press release on August 19 that Marcelo Botelho Rodrigues will take over as president of CSP, from Cláudio Bastos, who will return to Vale. Rodrigues will be responsible for more than 60pc of Porto do Pecém’s exports, the company added.
Brazil’s crude steel production increased by 3.5pc to 2.59mn mt in July this year from 2.50mn mt in the same month last year.