Rio - A report issued on Friday (20) in Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS) reveals that gross steel production in Brazil attained 2.840 million tons in July. This result constitutes a record for the month and, according to the IBS, corresponds to full utilization of the sector's production capacity, which amounts to 34 million tons per year.

So far this year steel production in Brazil has totaled 18.999 million tons, 5.7% more than for the same period last year.

Relfecting the effort on the part of steel mills to maintain the national market supplied, domestic sales of steel products came to 1.627 million tons in July, 40% more than in July, 2003. The chief markets were the automobile, farm machinery, home appliance, and packaging industries, the IBS informed.

The IBS also recalled that the railroad and shipbuilding sectors continue to demonstrate significant recovery. The same upbeat atmosphere prevails in the construction sector, as a result of recent measures approved by the government.

Due to the increase in domestic consumption, exports remained on a downward trend: Shipments to foreign markets between January and June of this year totaled 6.198 million tons, 12% less than in the first half of 2003.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Alana Gandra
Translator: David Silberstein
08/23/2004

Rio - A report released in Rio de Janeiro, on Friday (20), by the Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS) reveals that gross steel production in Brazil in July attained 2.840 million tons. This result constitutes a record for July and, according to the IBS, reflects full utilization of the sector's productive capacity, which amounts to 34 million tons per year.

So far this year steel production in Brazil has totaled 18.999 million tons, 5.7% more than during the same period last year.

Reflecting the effort on the part of steel mills to keep the internal market supplied, domestic sales of steel products came to 1.627 million tons in July, 40% more than in July, 2003. The chief markets were the automotive, agricultural machinery, home appliance, and packaging industries, the IBS informed.

The IBS also pointed out that the railroad and shipbuilding sectors continue to show significant recovery. The same upbeat atmosphere prevails in the construction sector, as a result of recent measures approved by the government.

Due to the increase in domestic consumption, exports continue on a downward trend: Shipments to foreign markets between January and June totaled 6.198 million tons, 12% less than for the same period in 2003.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Alana Gandra
Translator: David Silberstein
08/23/2004