The Argentina’s chamber of the steel industry, Acero Argentino (AA), informed that the country’s crude steel production has reached 312,100 mt in May, against 316,900 mt in April.
Under the same comparative basis, the production of HRC declined by 26.0 percent to 126,900 mt, the production of CRC increased by 0.1 percent to 81,200 mt and the production of long products increased by 7.9 percent to 123,200 mt.
When compared to May 2023, the numbers show crude steel production declining by 29.4 percent, HRC production declining by 32.3 percent, CRC production declining by 21.2 percent and long products production declining by 47.7 percent.
According to AA, in May the performance of the steel industry in Argentina was negatively affected by a general strike declared by the country’s workers union CGT, which was supported by the workers linked to the union of metallurgical workers UOM.
In the view of AA, the civil construction sector has shown signs of increased activity, estimated at 19 percent from April, when considering the acquisition of cement by the sector.
Regarding the automotive sector, production declined by 10.6 percent from April, while machinery and equipment maintain positive expectations in relation to the next heavy crop.
The energy sector maintains favorable perspectives for 2024, while the sector of domestic appliances has not shown improvements in May, although there are good perspectives for the coming months, with the return of credit lines available to the consumers.
Argentina remains facing a high level of inflation and a decline of its economy, as part of the program of stabilization implemented by the government.