Tata Steel sales jump 47% in Feb

Showing sign of recovery in commodity-demand, Tata Steel has recorded a 47 per cent increase in sales in February 2009 to 5,84,000 tonnes, as compared to the same period last year.

Production of hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel went up by 19 per cent, 12 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, in February 2009 compared to the same period last year.

The Indian operations account for about a quarter of the Tata Steel's total global capacity of 30 tonnes, which includes the capacity of Corus.

The long and flat products sales have increased 65 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively. Steel melting shops recorded best-ever February production of crude steel at 4,65,985 tonnes, said the company in a statement.

Saleable steel production stood at 4,97,662 tonnes, up by 21 per cent. The company has produced 5,16,766 tonnes hot metal, the highest in any February month.