Brazil sees decline in steel output
Brazil's crude steel production fell 3.9 percent year on year in 2005 as high interest rates and elevated inventory levels affected domestic demand. Brazilian steel institute IBS disclosed that the country's crude steel production amounted to 31.6 million metric tons in 2005. According to IBS' preliminary data, crude steel production was expected to fall 4.1 percent year on year to 31.6 million metric tons in 2005.