Argentina posts record steel output for 2004

Argentina posts record steel output for 2004

According to the data released by the steel sector office CIS, Argentina's crude steel production reached a record level of 5.13 million tons in 2004, indicating a 2% rise compared to 5.03 million tons recorded in 2003. Country's hot rolled steel production also rose by 4.3% from a year earlier to 4.8 million tons last year from 4.6 million tons produced in 2003. The increases recorded in both crude and hot rolled steel productions are attributed to the strong domestic demand for sectors such as construction, agriculture, automotive and home appliances. In addition, crude steel production in December was recorded as 449'200 tons with a rise of 9.8% compared to 409'200 tons registered in the corresponding period of last year. However, December production was 4.4% lower than 469'600 tons produced in November. In the same month, the hot rolled steel production reached 416'100 tons, up by 9.9% from a year earlier, but 5.1% lower than previous month. The production of cold rolled flat steel rose by 8.3% to 139'300 tons from 128'600 tons and primary iron production was recorded as 395'200 tons with a rise of 10.9% year-on-year.