August 2011 World Crude Steel Production Dips 2.3% vs. July
09/21/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 124.59 million tonnes for August 2011, 2.3% lower than the 127.48 million tonnes reported for the previous month (July 2011) and 9.8% higher in comparison with August 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 124.59 million tonnes for August 2011, 2.3% lower than the 127.48 million tonnes reported for the previous month (July 2011) and 9.8% higher in comparison with August 2010.
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World Steel Production, August '11
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Region
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% of Aug. '11 Total
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Change vs. Aug. '10
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EU (27)
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10.2%
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+4.3%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+6.9%
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CIS
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7.6%
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+5.3%
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N. America
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8.4%
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+12.8%
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S. America
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3.3%
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+4.8%
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Africa
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1.0%
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-11.8%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+8.0%
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Asia
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65.2%
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+12.0%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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-19.3%
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World
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--
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+9.8%
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China logged a 13.8% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 6.5% vs. August 2010. Year-on-year changes (August 2011 vs. August 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as several decreases (Africa, -11.8%; Oceania, -19.3%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin August 2011 was 77.5%, 2.1 percentage points lower than in the previous month (July 2011). Compared to August 2010, the utilization ratio increased by 3.5 percentage points.
August Production by Region — Weighing in at 65.2% of total world production for August 2011 (up from 64.5% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 81.28 million tonnes in August, 12.0% higher than in August 2010. South Korea (+19.3%), Taiwan (+18.0%) and China (+13.8%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. August 2010.
Representing 47.2% of world production for August (up from 46.9% the previous month), China’s production was 58.75 million tonnes in August, representing a 0.9% decrease compared to the previous month, and a 13.8% increase vs. August 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 649.87 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. The countries in this region logged single- or low double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Japan (-0.8%).
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 65.2% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up from 64.5% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 12.74 million tonnes of crude steel in August, up 4.3% from August 2010. Comparing August 2011 to August 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in Bulgaria (+60.6%), Greece (+63.0%) and Italy(+25.6%) while the largest decreases were reported by Finland (-35.1%), Other EU (-15.7%) and Netherlands (-15.2%) over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 120.87 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by U.K. (-2.3%), Other EU (-1.2%), Slovakia (-4.5%), and Spain (-3.0%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 10.2% of the total reported world production in August 2011, down from 11.4% and 12.3% in July and June, respectively.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.02 million tonnes in August, an increase of 6.9% compared to August 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina (+10.7%) and Turkey (+7.8%) while the largest decreases were logged by Croatia (-12.4%) and Serbia (-10.0%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 24.19 million tonnes of crude steel, a 19.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in August 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.45 million tonnes in August, reflecting a 5.3% increase compared to August 2010. Kazakhstan (+17.1%) reported the largest increase vs. August 2010.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 75.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Moldova (-30.8%).
Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up from 7.4% the previous month.
North American production totaled 10.49 million tonnes in August, a 12.8% increase in comparison to August 2010. Comparing August 2011 to August 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (+191.5%), Trinidad and Tobago (+60.6%) and Guatemala (+59.8%), while a decrease was recorded in Canada (-5.8%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 79.82 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.4% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up slightly from 8.3% in the previous month.
South American production for August 2011 totaled 4.13 million tonnes, a 4.8% increase compared to August 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Uruguay (+51.8%), Venezuela (+34.9%), Chile (+22.9%),and Ecuador (+22.0%) while the most significant decrease was recorded in Paraguay (-56.9%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 32.82 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Paraguay (-64.1%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in August 2011, down slightly from 3.4% the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.20 million tonnes in August 2011, an 11.8% decrease compared to August 2010. Comparing August 2011 to August 2010, all countries reported decreases, the largest of which were recorded in Libya (-100.0%), Morocco -56.5%) and Algeria (-31.6%).
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 9.37 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.2% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt, +1.8%) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
The African countries contributed 1.0% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up slightly from 0.9% the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.69 million tonnes in August 2011, an 8.0% increase compared to August 2010. Comparing August 2011 to August 2010, increases were recorded in Iran (+10.4%), Saudi Arabia (+3.7%) and Qatar (+6.3%).
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 13.63 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up from 1.2% the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.60 million tonnes in August 2011, a 19.3% decrease compared to August 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in August 2011, up slightly from 0.4% the previous month.
Total world production for August 2011 decreased 2.3% compared to the previous month, July 2011, and increased by 9.8% compared to August 2010.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 170 steel producers (including 18 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.
