A key indicator reflects the slowdown in the Argentine economy: crude steel production fell 3.7% in September compared to August and 3.8% year-on-year, according to the chamber of the sector. In the Government, they believe the trend will reverse from November, after the electoral result gave the green light to Javier Milei's proposals. Until October at least, that news had not arrived, and the government attributes it to 'kuka risk'. In this scenario, production of hot-rolled improved by 2.7% compared to last August, although it suffered a 1.6% year-on-year drop. With a total of 356,700 tons, crude steel production fell 3.7% compared to last August. During the month, plants made adjustments to adapt their stocks. For its part, production of laminated (flat and non-flat) was 313,900 tons, which represented a 2.7% increase over August and a 1.6% year-on-year drop. In this sense, flat laminated steel had a monthly increase of 11.2%, while non-flat laminated steel increased its production by 6.1%. For this year, a demand level slightly higher than 2024 is expected, although still below the levels reached in previous years. The traditional construction sector remains with low activity. Despite the slight increase in cement shipments, which grew 3.7% compared to last August, steel shipments for that sector do not yet show signs of improvement. On the contrary, industrial steel construction, mainly warehouses for logistics, maintains a good level of activity. In the automotive sector, national production in September registered a 5.8% increase compared to August and a 5% decrease compared to the same month last year. Comparing the first 9 months of 2025 with 2024, a 4.6% increase was registered. The machinery and agricultural implements sector presents very good expectations for the wheat harvest and good conditions for the planting of Soy and Corn. Accumulated exports for the year are improving compared to 2024, although in the domestic market there is concern about the import of new and used parts and equipment, and high interest rates. In sectors linked to mass consumption such as white line, tin cans and drums, local production is impacted by the drop in consumption derived from the lack of credit and the increase in the import of finished products.
Detailed data:
PRIMARY IRON Primary iron production in September 2025 was 207,300 tons, 1% lower than August 2025 (209,400 tons) and 6.8% lower than September 2024 (222,400 tons).
CRUDE STEEL Crude steel production in September 2025 was 356,700 tons, 3.7% lower than the values of August 2025 (370,300 tons) and 3.8% lower than in September 2024 (370,900 tons).
HOT-ROLLED LAMINATED Total production of hot-rolled laminated in September 2025 was 313,900 tons, 2.7% higher than September 2025 (305,600 tons), and 1.6% lower than September 2024 (319,000 tons).
COLD-ROLLED FLAT Cold-rolled flat production in September 2025 was 106,400 tons, 6.1% higher than August 2025 (100,300 tons) and 4.6% higher than September 2024 (101,700 tons).
