The Argentine chamber of the steel industry, Acero Argentino (AA), reported the country’s crude steel production in December reached 256,300 mt against 338,500 mt in November.
On a comparative basis, the production of HRC declined by 16.9 percent to 144,600 mt, the production of CRC declined by 2.9 percent to 89,900 mt, and the production of long products declined by 47.5 percent to 83,100 mt.
When compared to December 2023, the numbers show crude steel production declining by 24.3 percent, HRC production increasing by 21.8 percent, CRC production increasing by 30.2 percent, and long products production declining by 42.0 percent.
According to AA, at the country’s civil construction sector and one of the main consumers of steel products, the performance declined in December by 12 percent from November and by 24 percent for the year of 2024.
In the automotive sector, production in December declined by 28 percent from November and increased by 4.0 percent from December 2023, but considering the total of 2024, there was a 17.0 percent production decline from 2023.
Machinery and agriculture equipment now faces uncertainties derived from the volatility of international prices of cereals, and from expectations of the definition of interest rates that will cover the financing of machinery.