Steel output falls in Czech Republic
Steel
production in the Czech Republic fell 10 percent year on year in 2005 to 6.2 million metric tons, according to data released by Czech Republic's steel association Hutnictvi Zeleza.
In addition, steel sales fell 5 percent year on year to CZK 120 billion ($5.1 billion) in 2005.
The decline in
production and sales is attributed to the higher than usual inventories held by customers.
Overall steel
consumption in the Czech Republic amounted to 5.2 million metric tons in 2005, up 0.4 percent from a year earlier.
The country's per capita
consumption reached 500 kg last year, compared to 221-284 kg in neighboring
Hungary and
Poland.