According to data from the Argentine Steel Chamber (CAA), the country's crude steel production registered a 22.5% monthly drop and a 14% yearly decrease in February of this year, reaching 272,200 tons.

According to CAA, this drop in production is due to the severe slowdown in public works projects and the contraction of domestic consumption, factors that have directly impacted demand from the construction and industrial sectors.

Adding to the demand crisis is the growing worry about trade liberalization and the rise of imported steel, mainly from China. Domestic steelmakers warn that the arrival of material at subsidized prices is occurring at a time of extreme vulnerability for local plants, which operate with higher energy and logistics costs.

The situation has raised alarm bells among domestic steelmakers. While they are calling for urgent trade defense measures to curb unfair competition, the outlook for the coming months remains uncertain due to the lack of signs of recovery in national economic activity.