Overview

• Acerbrag announced an indefinite suspension of its steel production starting early August, marking its fourth shutdown in a year in response to persistent weak domestic demand.
• The Bragado plant’s 600 employees will continue to receive base pay but will lose overtime income until the 2025 wage agreement gains homologation.
• Industry data show that Argentina’s steel production has fallen by nearly half since 2024, with June crude steel output down 8.6% and hot-rolled steel down 20.9% month-to-month.
• Companies such as Acindar, Ternium and Tenaris have implemented similar stoppages and furloughs as President Milei’s public works cuts and import liberalization squeeze local producers.
• Acerbrag plans a two-week operational interruption for maintenance and warns that additional shutdowns may occur before year-end if market conditions do not improve.