[Ferro-Alloys.com]According to statistics released by Latin American Steel Association, in the first nine months in 2012, the total consumption of steel in Latin America and the Caribbean have hit a volume of 49.5 million tons , rising by 5% year on year.

Among the countries, Chile, Mexico and Peru have the major growth rates of consumption in this region with percentages respectively at 17%, 15% and 13%.

Chile has been the leading country in steel consumption. As of the production of finished steel, it has jumped by 2.1% in comparison of the same period of time in 2011 and grew to 42.7 million tons.

Production of finished steel reached a volume of 47.5 million tons during January to October 2012.