China’s Output Boosts World Crude Steel to 13.1% Increase in October
11/23/2009 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 112,177 million tonnes in October 2009 — 3.1% higher than the previous month (September 2009) and 13.1% higher than October 2008.
Figures released by the World Steel Association (known formerly as IISI) show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 112,177 million tonnes in October 2009 — 3.1% higher than the previous month (September 2009) and 13.1% higher than October 2008.
Compared to the other regions and their largest countries, production in China was higher (+42.4%) vs. October 2008, following a 28.7% year-on-year increase the previous month (September 2009). China’s October production, at 51,747 tonnes, represents approximately 46.1% of total October world crude steel production. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world fell about 3.9% vs. October 2008.
Comparing October production to October 2008 production, the double-digit production losses of recent months have given way to smaller losses for some regions (-13.5% for North America; -12.1% for EU(27); -7.1% Africa; and -4.6% for South America). Other regions showed small increases vs. October 2008, including Oceania (+1.4%) and the Middle East (+5.7%). Still other regions have begun to show a more solid improvement compared to October 2008, including Other Europe (+27.8%); CIS (+26.9%); and Asia (+24.2%).
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World Steel Production, Oct. '09
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Region
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% of Oct. '09 Total
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Change vs. Oct. '08
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EU (27)
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12.6%
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-12.1%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+27.8%
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CIS
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8.0%
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+26.9%
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N. America
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7.1%
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-13.5%
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S. America
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3.5%
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-4.6%
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Africa
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1.1%
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-7.1%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+5.7%
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Asia
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63.5%
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+24.2%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+1.4%
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World
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--
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+13.1%
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For the year to date, China’s production has reached 472.5 million tonnes, a 10.5% increase vs. YTD 2008. This compares to double-digit year-on-year YTD losses for many of the other world regions including North America (-41.9%), EU(27) (-36.7%), Oceania (-35.6%), South America (-27.2%), C.I.S. (-22.2%), Africa (-18.6%), and Other Europe (-13.3%). Small year-on-year YTD increases were also recorded for all of Asia (+0.2%) and the Middle East (+2.5%).
Weighing in at 63.5% of total world production for October 2009, production in Asia stood at 71,221 million tonnes in October, 24.2% higher than in October 2008. Representing 46.1% of world production for October, Chinese production was reported at 51.75 million tonnes in October, a 42.4% increase compared to October 2008, and a 3.1% increase compared to the previous month (September 2009). Taiwan (-18.3%) and Japan (-12.9%) logged the region’s largest percentage decrease vs. October 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 640.7 million tonnes of crude steel, a 0.2% increase vs. YTD 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 640.7 million tonnes of crude steel, a 0.2% increase vs. YTD 2008.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.13 million tonnes of crude steel in October, down 12.1% from October 2008. Comparing October 2009 to October 2008, crude steel production fell by 55.4% in Romania, by 36.6% in Slovenia, and by 31.7% in Belgium. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.6% of the total reported world production in October 2009, up from 12.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, EU(27) reported the production of 111.47 million tonnes of crude steel, a 36.7% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.70 million tonnes in October, an increase of 27.8% compared to October 2008. The most significant decrease was recorded in Croatia(-28.6%) while increases were reported by Serbia (+147.1%), Switzerland (+35.1%), and Turkey (+25.5%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in October 2009, unchanged from 2.4% in the previous month.
For the year to date, Other Europe reported the production of 23.59 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.99 million tonnes in October, reflecting a 26.9% increase compared to October 2008. Byelorussia reported an 18.1% decrease while the largest increases were logged by Ukraine (+42.9%), Russia (+24.2), and Kazakhstan (+13.9%). Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 8.0% of the total reported world production in October 2009, up from 7.6% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, CIS reported the production of 79.85 million tonnes of crude steel, a 22.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
North American production totaled 7.92 million tonnes in October, a 13.5% decrease in comparison to October 2008. Comparing October 2009 to October 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in Canada (-26.6%), Cuba (-16.1%) and Guatemala (-16.0%), and the United States (-12.4%), while Trinidad and Tobago logged a 23.0% increase. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.1% of the total reported world production in October 2009, up from 6.7% in the previous month.
For the year to date, North America reported the production of 65.41 million tonnes of crude steel, a 41.9% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
South American production for October 2009 totaled 3.88 million tonnes, a 4.6% decrease compared to October 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Peru (-25.7%) and Venezuela (-15.4%), while the largest increases were reported for Ecuador (+57.2%) and Chile (+37.0%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.5% of the total reported world production in October 2009.
For the year to date, South America reported the production of 30.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 27.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.23 million tonnes in October 2009, a 7.1% decrease compared to October 2008. Comparing October 2009 to October 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Libya (-52.5%) and Algeria (-35.4%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in October 2009, unchanged from 1.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 12.17 million tonnes of crude steel, an 18.6% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.42 million tonnes in October 2009, a 5.7% increase compared to October 2008. Comparing October 2009 to October 2008, the largest percentage decrease was recorded in Qatar (-30.6%) and the largest percentage increase was recorded in Iran (+11.4%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in October 2009, unchanged from 1.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 13.90 million tonnes of crude steel, a 2.5% increase vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.69 million tonnes in October 2009, a 1.4% increase compared to October 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in October 2009, unchanged from 0.6% in the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 4.69 million tonnes of crude steel, a 35.6% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Total world production for October 2009 increased 3.1% compared to the previous month, September 2009. World production for the year to date reached 982.14 million tonnes through October, a 13.5% decrease compared to YTD 2008.
