The metallurgical industry of Rosario is going through one of the most complex periods in recent years, with a sustained drop in activity, loss of employment and deterioration of the business structure.

Rosario Region

• The AIM Real Billing Index registered an interannual fall of 16% in April 2026, accumulating practically 44 consecutive months of decline in local metallurgical activity.
• The level of activity is 40.4% below the end of 2023 and 52.1% below September 2022.
• Nominal turnover reached $93.8 billion in April, with an increase of 11.2% year-on-year, well below inflation, reflecting a new decline in real terms.
• 77% of metallurgical activities had billing increases lower than the CPI and this group represents 92% of the total sales of the sector.
• Between January 2024 and April 2026, the sector's real turnover fell on average 16.7% year-on-year. The most affected branches were:
  • Metal casting (-20.8%)
  • Home use appliances (-19.8%)
  • Metal products and work services (-19.6%)
  • Electrical equipment (-19.2%)
• In addition, the increase in unemployment in Greater Rosario is of concern, with 12,000 more unemployed people during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter.

National Situation

• The utilization of the installed capacity of the metallurgical industry fell tol 42.7% in April 2026, one of the lowest levels in recent years.
• 12 of the 15 metallurgical branches registered lower production during the first four months of 2026.
• The biggest drops were observed in:
  • Home use appliances (-29%)
  • Agricultural machinery (-27.5%)
  • Auto parts (-8.9%)
  • Metal casting (-13.3%)
• Since November 2023, 18,500 registered jobs have been lost in the Argentine metalworking industry (-7.8%).
• Employers and workers covered by ART also decreased:
  • Employers: -7.2%
  • Workers: -8.6% between December 2023 and March 2026.

Province of Santa Fe

• The business and labor structure also showsa deterioration:
  • Insured employers: -5.2%
  • Workers covered: -6.4%
    between the end of 2023 and March 2026.

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