Cement production in Argentina reached 590,000t in May, up 29 per cent from the same month in 2004, local press reported.

Production in May was also up 1.1 per cent compared to April of this year.

"Our current estimates of 7.1Mt for this year [up 15.5 per cent from 2004] may be surpassed if the current pace is maintained," Reuters quoted Mariela Eli of financial consulting firm Argentine Research as saying.