Source: Argus Media
Brazilian rolled steel product imports are projected to decline by 15.1 percent to 4.88 million tonnes in 2026, according to steel industry association Aco Brasil. The forecast reflects the impact of tightened trade defense measures implemented over the past year, including definitive anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese cold-rolled steel in February, with rates exceeding $600 per tonne for certain suppliers and valid for up to five years.
Total steel imports are expected to fall 13.2 percent to 5.56 million tonnes this year. Despite the reduction in imports, domestic sales are projected to rise only modestly by 0.2 percent to 21.27 million tonnes, while apparent steel consumption is forecast to decline 2.7 percent to 26.08 million tonnes. Crude steel production is expected to remain broadly flat at 33.38 million tonnes, down just 0.1 percent compared to 2025. Steel exports are also projected to decrease by 0.5 percent to 10.93 million tonnes.
In addition to the anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled steel, Brazil has applied duties of up to $709.63 per tonne on Chinese coated flat steel and rates ranging from $289.10 to $545.39 per tonne on pre-painted steel from China and India. A tariff-quota system also remains in effect, applying 25 percent tariffs on imports that exceed established quotas. These measures collectively aim to protect domestic steel producers from what Brazilian industry representatives describe as unfairly priced imports, particularly from Asian suppliers.
