Brazil sees decline in steel production
Brazilian Steel Institute (IBS) said that the country's steel production amounted to 2.58 million tons in January 2005, down 3.2% year-on-year. The only increase Brazil saw in January was in long products output. Long products rose a slight 0.9% year-on-year to 676'700 tons last month. Flat steel production dropped off 1.6% to 1.14 million tons, while semi-finished products declined 2.4% to 506'600 tons.