According to a recent report from the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), during the first bimester of the year, Latin America and the Caribbean show a decrease of 16 percent in finished steel consumption. In addition, finished steel production fell 9 percent year on year (yoy). According to Alacero, finished steel refers to steel included in one of these 3 groups: Flat steel (e.g. stainless steel, sheets and coils, coated sheets, pre-painted, chrome-plate sheets, hot dip galvanized sheet etc.), long products (e.g. reinforcing bars, bars, wire rod, light sections, heavy sections, rails) and seamless tubes.