Crude steel production in Argentina reached 359,400 mt in February, against 442,400 mt in January, according to the country’s steel association Acero Argentino.
Under the same comparative basis, the production of HRC declined by 10.3 percent to 175,200 mt, while the production of CRC declined by 22.5 percent to 84,400 mt, and the production of long products declined by 13.9 percent to 166,600 mt.
According to Acero Argentino, the sharp decline of steel production in February reflects stoppages for maintenance of equipment in different plants of the sector.
In relation to the main steel demanding sectors, Acero Argentino mentioned that the civil construction sector has showed a weak performance in February, after months of intensive demand, while the auto industry posted a strong performance, increasing by 70 percent from January.
For its turn, the sector of machinery and equipment for agriculture remain facing difficulties in closing fresh sales deals, due to the severe drought affecting the country, remaining limited to the previously closed sales deals.
Aceros Argentino added that the energy sector remains firm and with good perspectives, the sector of domestic appliances is showing signals of deceleration, while the sector of packaging maintains a stable demand for steel products.