Brazil: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in Brazil

In 2021, the Brazilian hot-rolled free-cutting steel market decreased by -16.9% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption saw a deep setback. Hot-rolled free-cutting steel consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports from Brazil

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels increased by 39% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports recorded a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2,597%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 1,654%. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports from Brazil, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), fourfold. Colombia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States totaled +57.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (-3.6% per year) and Colombia (+29.4% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports from Brazil, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States stood at +57.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Colombia (+27.6% per year) and the UK (-5.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 25%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (-0.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports into Brazil

In 2021, approx. X tons of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels were imported into Brazil; dropping by -4.3% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) was the main supplier of hot-rolled free-cutting steel to Brazil, with a 92% share of total imports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina totaled -11.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+2.4% per year) and Japan (+0.7% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels to Brazil, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina amounted to -12.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+4.1% per year) and Japan (-2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average hot-rolled free-cutting steel import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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