Azovstal decreases production

According to preliminary data, Ukrainian steelmaker Azovstal's production of finished steel products decreased 2.4 percent, that of crude steel decreased 2.2 percent, that of pig iron decreased 3.4 percent and that of agglomerate decreased 7.5 percent year on year to 3.42 million metric tons, to 3.82 million metric tons, to 3.2 million metric tons and to 1.3 million metric tons respectively in January-August of 2006. In August of 2006, the plant produced 512,000 metric tons of finished steel products, 533,000 metric tons of crude steel, 474,000 metric tons of pig iron and 156,000 metric tons of agglomerate.