MERCOSUR: Cold-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR cold-rolled steel products market reduced sharply to $X in 2022, dropping by -21.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, shipments abroad of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) increased by 14% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 76% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons), together mixing up a 23% share of total exports.

Exports from Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -4.3% from 2012 to 2022. Argentina (-3.0%) and Venezuela (-10.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Argentina (+2.6 p.p.) and Brazil (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Venezuela (-5.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest cold-rolled steel products supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

In Brazil, cold-rolled steel products exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-4.8% per year) and Venezuela (-11.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, growing by 17% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, imports of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) in MERCOSUR contracted markedly to X tons, reducing by -22.8% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports saw a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 62% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 78%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Colombia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main importers of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) in 2022, amounting to approx. 36% and 29% of total imports, respectively. Peru (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Chile (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 21% share of total imports. Argentina (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Paraguay (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Colombia ($X) and Chile ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Paraguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

Paraguay, with a CAGR of +7.7%, 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 mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform