Argentina's industrial production dropped 6.1% in November compared to the same month in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Latin American Economic Research Foundation (FIEL), marking the fifth consecutive decline since July. While it posted a slight monthly increase of 0.4%, the sector has accumulated a 0.5% contraction over the first eleven months of the year. This outcome occurs amid an industrial recession that began in February, worsened by a shorter working month.
The Latin American Economic Research Foundation (FIEL) reported that industrial production fell 6.1% year-on-year in November 2025, the fifth consecutive drop since July. This decline is part of a recession ongoing since February, though FIEL describes this phase as "milder than the average of the eleven industrial recessions since 1980" based on its Industrial Production Index (IPI).
On a monthly basis, there was a modest 0.4% increase from October, which had grown 0.6%. However, November was shortened by holidays, with two fewer days than in 2024 and four fewer than October, directly impacting production levels and shipments in key sectors.
Among leading sectors, non-metallic minerals saw the strongest year-on-year gain of 6.5%, despite a drop in bagged cement sales, partially offset by bulk sales. Food and beverage production rose 3.3%, driven by foods, though beverages declined, with contractions in sodas, waters, juices, and beer. Beef slaughter chained five months of decline, indicating a shift toward herd rebuilding, while pork slaughter has grown for a quarter.
The automotive sector experienced the deepest fall, with a sharp contraction in vehicles—five straight months of decline—and a moderate drop in utilities. Wholesale sales, registrations, and exports also decreased, particularly shipments to Brazil, halting over fifteen months of year-on-year improvements.
Over the first eleven months, the picture is mixed: non-metallic minerals rose 6.5%, food and beverages 3.3%, along with petroleum refining, basic metal industries, and textile inputs. In contrast, automotive fell 1.1%, chemicals and plastics 9.5%, and metalworking 3.1%, contributing to the overall 0.5% contraction. By type of goods, capital goods grew 5.2%, while durable consumer goods dropped 5.6%.
