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2010 World Crude Steel Production Finishes 15% Ahead of 2009

01/24/2011 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 116.2 million tonnes in December 2010 — a 1.3% increase from the previous month (November 2010). Full-year production, at 1395.46 million tonnes, reflects a 15.2% increase over 2009.

Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 1395.5 million tonnes for the full twelve months of 2010, 15.2% higher in comparison with 2009. While all the regions showed increased crude steel production during the full year 2010 compared to 2009, several countries did report significant year-on-year decreases (Venezuela, Moldova, Chile, Norway, Libya, Morocco, and the U.K.).
 
The following countries produced the greatest quantities of crude steel in 2009. The number in parentheses reflects that country’s percentage change in production tonnage compared to 2009:
 
  1. China, 626.7 million tonnes (+9.3%)
  2. Japan, 109.6 million tonnes (+25.2%)
  3. United States, 80.6 million tonnes (+38.5%)
  4. Russia, 67.0 million tonnes (+11.7%)
  5. India, 66.8 million tonnes (+6.4%)
  6. South Korea, 58.5 million tonnes (+20.3%)
  7. Germany, 43.8 million tonnes (+34.1%)
  8. Ukraine, 33.6 million tonnes (+12.4%)
  9. Brazil, 32.8 million tonnes (+23.8%)
  10. Turkey, 29.0 million tonnes (+14.6%)
 
For the month of December, world crude steel production reached 116.2 million tonnes — a 1.3% increase from the previous month (November 2010) and a 7.8% increase vs. December 2009.
China logged a 6.3% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 9.0% vs. December 2009. Year-on-year changes (December 2010 vs. December 2009) included both increases and decreases that varied widely throughout all regions.
 
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countriesin December 2010 declined slightly to 73.8% (vs. 75.2% in November). The utilization ratio in December 2010 declined slightly to 73.8% (vs. 75.2% in November). Compared to December 2009, the utilization ratio in December 2010 is 1.1 percentage points higher.
 
December and Full-Year Production by Region — Weighing in at 63.4% of total world production for December 2010 (up from 62.4% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 73.63 million tonnes in December, 6.2% higher than in December 2009. South Korea (+24.3%), China (+6.3%) and Taiwan (+4.2%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. December 2009.
 
Representing 44.4% of world production for December (up slightly from 44.0% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 51.52 million tonnes in December. China’s reported production represents a 6.3% increase compared to the previous month, and a 6.3% increase vs. December 2009.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries of Asia reported the production of 881.20 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India (+6.4%) and China (+9.3%)) logged double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
 
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 12.95 million tonnes of crude steel in December, down 11.6% from the previous month (November 2010) but up 8.4% from December 2009. Comparing December 2010 to December 2009, crude steel production grew significantly in Slovenia (34.1%), Italy (3.6%), Romania (30.0%) and Belgium (29.0%), while the U.K. reported double-digit decreases over the same period. 
 
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 11.2% of the total reported world production in December 2010, down from 12.9% the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 172.91 million tonnes of crude steel, a 24.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most of the countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Greece (-8.1%), U.K. (-3.7%), and Bulgaria (+2.0%).
World Steel Production, Dec. '10
Region
% of Dec. '10 Total
Change vs. Dec. '09
EU (27)
11.2%
+8.4%
Other EU
2.7%
+23.9%
CIS
8.3%
+8.5%
N. America
8.2%
+16.2%
S. America
3.0%
-4.1%
Africa
1.3%
+14.3%
Middle East
1.4%
+21.1%
Asia
63.4%
+6.2%
Oceania
0.6%
+5.3%
World
--
+7.8%
 
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.09 million tonnes in December, an increase of 23.9% compared to December 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+92.1%) and Switzerland (+129.9%), while decreases were reported by Serbia (-46.0%) and Norway (-13.8%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.7% of the total reported world production in December 2010, up slightly from 2.5% in the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 33.08 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.2% increase vs. 2009. Norway continues to report a double-digit decrease vs. the previous year.
 
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.64 million tonnes in December, reflecting an 8.5% increase compared to December 2009. While Byelorussia (+30.8%) and Uzbekistan (+20.0%) reported the largest increase vs. December 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in November 2010, up slightly from 7.9% the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 108.43 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.2% increase vs. 2009. Moldova reported a double-digit decrease vs. the previous year.
 
North American production totaled 9.52 million tonnes in December, a 16.2% increase in comparison to December 2009. Comparing December 2010 to December 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Mexico (+21.9%), Canada (+16.6%) and the U.S. (+15.1%), while a double-digit decrease was recorded in El Salvador (-37.5%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.2% of the total reported world production in December 2010, up slightly from 7.9% in the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries in North America reported the production of 111.80 million tonnes of crude steel, a 35.7% increase vs. 2009. Although most countries in the region are reporting double-digit increases vs. the previous year, exceptions include Cuba (+4.2%) and El Salvador (-8.6%).
 
South American production for December 2010 totaled 3.43 million tonnes, a 4.1% decrease compared to December 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+124.4%), Columbia (+70.7%), and Peru (+31.8%) while the most significant decrease was recorded in Chile (-18.7%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.0% of the total reported world production in December 2010, down slightly from 3.2% the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the countries in South America reported the production of 43.78 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.9% increase vs. 2009. Most countries in the region are reporting double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while several others report double-digit losses (Chile and Venezuela).
 
Production in Africa totaled 1.56 million tonnes in December 2010, a 14.3% increase compared to December 2009. Comparing December 2010 to December 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+141.6%), Egypt (+26.2%) and Libya (+25.0%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in December 2010, unchanged from 1.3% the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, Africa reported the production of 17.15 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.8% increase vs. 2009. Some of the countries in this region are reporting double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while Libya and Morocco are reporting single-digit decreases.
 
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.66 million tonnes in December 2010, a 21.1% increase compared to December 2009. Comparing December 2010 to December 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Iran (+37.2%) and Qatar (+13.2%) while Saudi Arabia reported a decrease (-7.2%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in November 2010, unchanged from 1.4% the previous month.
 
For the full year 2010, the Middle East reported the production of 18.98 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.3% increase vs. 2009.
 
Production in Oceania totaled 0.69 million tonnes in December 2010, a 5.3% increase compared to December 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in December 2010.
 
For the full year 2010, Oceania reported the production of 8.15 million tonnes of crude steel, a 35.5% increase vs. 2009.
 
Total world production for December 2010 increased 1.3% compared to the previous month, November 2010, and increased by 7.8% compared to December 2009. Full-year production, at 1395.46 million tonnes, reflects a 15.2% increase over 2009.  
 
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 170 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.