According to INDA, the Brazilian institute of Steel Distributors, their partners sold 341,300 metric tons (t) of steel products in May, up from 314,000 tons in April. The increase in exports is a direct result of Brazil's recent anti-dumping measures against China, which have reduced the influx of cheap Chinese raw materials.
In the same comparison, purchases from INDA-related distributors increased by 2.3 percent to 340,600 tons, while inventories remained unchanged at 1.157 million tons. This corresponds to 3.4 months of consumption, which is still well above the 2.8-month comfort level in the sector.
Imports in April fell by 27.4 percent to 120,900 tons, including thick sheet, HRC, CRC, galvanized products, HDG, pre-painted products and galvalum products.
Compared to May 2025, May 2026. Sales increased by 3.8 percent, purchases increased by 0.3 percent, and imports plummeted by 71.1 percent.
INDA expects purchases and sales to be stable in June and May.
INDA President Carlos Loureiro said prices could gain momentum in the second half of the year as, due to reduced competition from imported products, the sector believes there will be more opportunities to consolidate the price adjustments made by steel. factories.
According to Loureiro, the Galvalume segment is already demonstrating this trend, benefiting from anti-dumping measures that have limited the flow of Chinese raw materials.
"I believe that in the absence of import pressure, factories will actually be able to realize this increase," Loureiro said.
Given this scenario, INDA estimates that the second half of the year should outperform the first half of the year, consolidating the gradual recovery of the Brazilian steel market and allowing the sector to end 2026 with moderate growth.
