Spanish steel mills to continue aiming at export market

July 1 MetalBiz-Source from Spanish exporter's association Siderex noted that to export is the first choice for Spanish steel industry, because they expected to improve export volume to Venezuela and Colombia to expand sales. 

This week Siderex will sent 15 members to Latin America. Spanish export to Venezuela dropped to 23,400tons in 2008 from 37,300tons of 2006. Siderex said: "leaving the current global crisis, Spanish steel export to Venezuela in the first four months increased 87.6% over the same period of last year, which is mainly attributed to the growth of seamless pipe and construction steel export."

The export to Columbia in 06 stood at 18,500tons, while it was only 10,900tons in 07, but it doubled in 08 to 22,800tons. Siderex pointed out that due to export drops of sections mainly used in construction industry, Spanish export to Columbia in the first four months was down 56.6% again. 

As earlier reports, export is still major motion for Spanish steel recovery. Siderex disclosed: "now Spanish market rebounds slightly, so inventories drops, but we believe that the end-users’ demand will improve in Q3 or Q4."