Latin America and the Caribbean: Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market 2025

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American non-alloy steel u-section market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the market value increased by 5.8%. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Non-alloy steel u-section exports soared to X tons in 2022, rising by 30% on the year before. Total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +45.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 45%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw buoyant growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2022. Guatemala (X tons), Honduras (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Guatemala (+13.6%) and Honduras (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +13.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Brazil (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mexico and Guatemala increased by +11 and +2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest non-alloy steel u-section supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with a 3.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 1.7% share.

In Mexico, non-alloy steel u-section exports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (+15.2% per year) and Brazil (-11.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 44% against the previous year. Export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-alloy steel u-section export price increased by +99.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Guatemala ($X per ton), while Honduras ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of u-sections of non-alloy steel were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; shrinking by -11.9% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports continue to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Argentina represented the main importer of u-sections of non-alloy steel in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 33% of total imports in 2022. Mexico (X tons) took a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (8%), Uruguay (7%) and Chile (6.1%). The following importers - Peru (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Panama (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons), Cuba (X tons) and Guyana (X tons) - together made up 23% of total imports.

Imports into Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Panama (+153.4%), Guyana (+12.6%) and the Dominican Republic (+6.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +153.4% from 2012-2022. Uruguay and Costa Rica experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Guatemala (-2.1%), Colombia (-4.2%), Chile (-5.6%), Brazil (-5.7%), Peru (-7.4%), Mexico (-10.0%) and Cuba (-12.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Argentina, Panama, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic increased by +17, +2.9, +2.4 and +2.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest non-alloy steel u-section importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Argentina ($X), Mexico ($X) and Uruguay ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana and Cuba lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +157.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 31% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-alloy steel u-section import price increased by +76.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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