Mexico's raw steel production for 2002 totaled 14.05 million metric tons, an output increase of 5.6 percent from the previous year. Production for January 2003 reached 1.3 million metric tons, an increase of 53.1 percent over January 2002 totals. February production was 1.15 million metric tons, 14 percent more than February 2002 output. However, note that during the first months of last year, production was down significantly. SICARTSA and Ispat Mexicana (IMEXSA) underwent shutdowns due to labor disputes, and an accident at the SICARTSA facility added to a decline in production. Recovery during the second semester of 2002 offset the decline of the first semester, and the year finished out with a 5.6 percent production growth. There are factors expected to affect growth for 2003. However, industry analysts do not expect production here to return to the 1997-1998 levels of more than 14.2 million metric tons just yet.
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