In October, the capacity utilization rate in Argentina's industry stood at 61.0%, a level below the 63.0% recorded in the same month of the previous year, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec). The most significant annual decline was observed in the textile manufacturing sector, where capacity utilization fell to 32.5% from 47.8%. Conversely, oil refining saw an increase, rising from 79.1% to 82.2%. Sectors with capacity utilization above the national average included oil refining (82.2%), basic metals (71.1%), food and beverages (68.7%), chemical substances and products (63.6%), and paper and cardboard (62.3%). Sectors operating below the average included non-metallic mineral products (60.5%), automotive industry (56.1%), publishing and printing (53.2%), metalworking except automotive (48.2%), tobacco products (42.9%), rubber and plastic products (42.6%), and textiles (32.5%). According to Noticias Argentinas agency, the main negative impacts on production in October 2025 compared to October 2024 were seen in the manufacturing of paper and cardboard, as well as rubber and plastic products. Paper and cardboard production reached a capacity utilization rate of 62.3%, down from 72.9% the previous year, mainly due to lower manufacturing of paper and cardboard for packaging and wrapping. Rubber and plastic products had a utilization rate of 42.6%, down from 48.9% in the same month of 2024, as a result of lower levels of plastic manufacturing and tire production. Specifically, plastic manufacturing fell by 9.7% year-on-year, and tire manufacturing decreased by 28.7%. The textile sector also showed a decline, with capacity utilization at 32.5% compared to 47.8% in October 2024, due to lower production of cotton yarn and fabrics. Cotton yarn production fell by 34.7%, and the manufacturing of fabrics and finishing of textile products decreased by 34.1% for the same comparison. The automotive industry recorded a capacity utilization rate of 56.1%, below the 61.2% of October 2024, due to the smaller number of units produced by car assembly plants. The food and beverages sector had a capacity utilization rate of 68.7%, lower than the 69.5% recorded in October of the previous year, linked primarily to a lower production of beef and a decrease in the beverage processing segment.
