South American steel production declined 2.5 percent in 2015

Crude steel production in the South American region declined slightly during 2015 to 43.906 million tonnes, down 2.5 percent from the 45.040 million tonnes produced in 2014.

According to the latest figures released by the World Steel Association, South American steel production dropped significantly during December last year. Total monthly output was down 7.2 percent to 3.273 million tonnes.

Argentina's total crude steel production in December was 372,000 tonnes, significantly 16.7 percent higher than the 446,000 tonnes produced in December 2014. Brazil produced 2.462 million tonnes of steel, down 6.1 percent from the 2.623 million tonnes produced during December 2014. Chile's December steel production plummeted nearly 10 percent to 91,000 tons, down from more than 100,000 tons in December 2014. Colombia's total steel production increased 11.8 percent to 60,000 tonnes in December 2015.

Ecuador's steel output rose 20.4 percent when compared on an annual basis. Ecuador's steel production was 65,000 tonnes in December last year, up from 54,000 tonnes in December 2014. Paraguay's steel output remained unchanged for a month.

Peruvian steel production increased 5.4 percent year on year. Uruguay's steel production was down nearly 7 percent from the previous year. Venezuelan production fell significantly, down 32.6 percent, year on year, from 148,000 tons to 100,000 tons.

The total volume of steel production in thousand tons, for the entire 2015 compared to 2014, in percent: Argentina - 5058 (-8.4); Brazil - 33,245 (-1.9); Chile - 1110 (+2.8); Colombia - 1224 (+1.4); Ecuador - 723 (+8.4); Paraguay - 48 (+1.8); Peru - 1086 (+0.8); Uruguay - 96 (+2.4); Venezuela - 1346 (-9.4).