Apparent consumption of hot rolled coils (HRC) in Mexico decreased 30.8 percent in June, year-over-year, to 292,000 metric tons (mt). This is the worst drop in at least the last 32 months, with the volume being the lowest in the last 18 months, according to data from the Mexican Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) reviewed by SteelOrbis.
HRC consumption in June of 292,000 mt contrasted sharply with April data which reached a new maximum of 510,000 mt in at least the last 30 months. Between these two volumes, there is a contraction of 42.7 percent or 218,000 mt.
In the last 18 months, HRC consumption in Mexico grew double digits 14 times and registered three drops. The highest growth rate of the period was recorded in December 2023 at 35.3 percent, year-over-year.
On the production side, HRC output in Mexico decreased 24.6 percent to 181,000 mt in June, the lowest volume in at least the last 30 months. This is the first time in the period that less than 200,000 mt were manufactured per month.
In the first half of the year, HRC consumption increased 3.7 percent to 2.53 million mt, while production increased 2.2 percent to 1.80 million mt. Imports grew 5.6 percent to 812,000 mt, but exports decreased 7.9 percent to 79,000 mt.
The main HRC producers in Mexico are Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA, currently paralyzed by insolvency), Tyasa, Ternium and ArcelorMittal.
