Steel sales fall 1.1% in April; sector expects rebound in May

Sales by the flat steel distribution network associated with Brazil’s National Institute of Steel Distributors (Inda) fell in April, reflecting an adjustment after March’s performance. Sales volume totaled 314,000 tonnes, down 10.8% from the previous month. The source text does not provide the missing year-on-year comparison.

Despite the negative result in April, Inda’s associated network expects a recovery in May, with purchases and sales projected to grow 10% from the previous month. As a result, the accumulated result from January to May is expected to show a 1.1% decline from the same period in 2025.

Inda President Carlos Jorge Loureiro said the sector could still end the year with positive performance. “We are heading toward growth of 1% to 2% for the year,” he said.

Imports fall sharply in April

Imports also fell significantly. In April, imported volume totaled 166,600 tonnes, down 38.6% from March. Compared with April 2025, the drop was even steeper, at 43.2%.

Loureiro said that, in a conservative scenario, imports could fall by 20% over the course of 2026. Even so, he said a steeper decline was possible, potentially reaching “30%, 35% or 40%.”

The chart below outlines monthly steel product import volumes into Brazil between January 2023 and March 2026, based on container throughput data compiled by Datamar:

Steel Imports to Brazil | Jan 2023 – Mar 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

According to Inda’s president, suppliers from other countries do not have the same logistics advantages seen in purchases from China. He also said prices in those markets are higher, a factor that weighs on the competitiveness of imports.

Inventories rise, but trend may change

Inventories in the distribution network rose 1.7% in April from March, reaching 1.157 million tonnes. Inventory turnover ended the month at 3.7 months.

Loureiro said the upward trend in prices could lead to lower inventories in the coming months as distributors adjust purchases to the new market environment.

Purchases fall in the month but rise on the year

Network purchases totaled 333,000 tonnes in April, down 6.1% from March. Compared with April last year, however, they rose 4%.

The behavior shows a difference between the short-term adjustment and the sector’s annual reading. While April posted a decline from the immediately preceding month, some indicators still showed resilience compared with 2025 results.

Exports rise on sales to Europe

Exports grew strongly in April, rising 74% from the same month in 2025. Export volume reached 887,500 tonnes.

Loureiro attributed the increase mainly to sales to Europe. According to him, the continent expanded production as part of an effort to reduce dependence on Chinese imports, opening room for stronger demand for Brazilian steel.

Source: Brasil 247

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