Despite Dip, February World Crude Steel Output Well Ahead of Last Year
03/23/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 107.54 million tonnes in February 2010 — 5.2% lower than the previous month (January 2010) but about 24% higher than February 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 107.54 million tonnes in February 2010 — a 5.2% decrease from the previous month (January 2010) but a 24.2% increase vs. February 2009.
China logged a 22.5% year-on-year increases. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world increased about 25.7% vs. February 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in February 2010 was 79.8%, a 15-month high since September 2008. Compared to February 2009, the utilization ratio in February 2010 increased by 12.0 percentage points.
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World Steel Production, Feb. '10
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Region
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% of Feb. '10 Total
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Change vs. Feb. '09
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EU (27)
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12.4%
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+28.6%
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Other EU
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2.0%
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+6.2%
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CIS
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7.3%
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+7.7%
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N. America
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7.6%
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+41.2%
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S. America
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3.1%
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+21.5%
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Africa
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1.1%
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+6.0%
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Middle East
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1.5%
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+17.0%
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Asia
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64.3%
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+24.8%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+75.9%
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World
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--
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+24.2%
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Weighing in at 64.3% of total world production for February 2010 (up from 63.2% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 69.18 million tonnes in February, 24.8% higher than in February 2009. Japan (+54.0%) and Taiwan (+46.5%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. February 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 142.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 27.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. All countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Representing 46.8% of world production for February (up from 44.6% the previous month), Chinese production was reported at 50.36 million tonnes in February. China’s reported production represents a 22.5% increase compared to February 2009.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 13.35 million tonnes of crude steel in February, up 28.6% from February 2009. Comparing February 2010 to February 2009, crude steel production grew by 102.4% in Finland, by 80.9% in Sweden, and by 63.5% in the Netherlands, but fell by 43.8% in Greece. Most other countries in the region reported double-digit year-on-year increases over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.4% of the total reported world production in February 2010, up slightly from 12.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 26.97 million tonnes of crude steel, a 31.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most of the other countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.19 million tonnes in February, an increase of 6.2% compared to February 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Serbia (+99.3%) and Croatia (+89.6%) while Macedonia reported a 56.9% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.0% of the total reported world production in February 2010, down from 2.2% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 4.60 million tonnes of crude steel, a 7.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most other countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 7.84 million tonnes in February, reflecting a 7.7% increase compared to February 2009. While Moldova (-66.7%), Byelorussia (-32.6%) and Uzbekistan (-13.8%) reported double-digit decreases vs. February 2009, other countries in the region reported increases, including Kazakhstan (+23.3%) and Ukraine (+10.7%). Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.3% of the total reported world production in February 2010, down from 7.8% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 16.39 million tonnes of crude steel, an 18.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
North American production totaled 8.21 million tonnes in February, a 41.2% increase in comparison to February 2009. Comparing February 2010 to February 2009, the largest increases were recorded in the U.S. (+51.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (+50.6%), and Cuba (+42.9%). Other countries in the region reported double-digit increases over the period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in February 2010, down from 7.9% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 16.85 million tonnes of crude steel, a 44.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double- or triple-digit increases vs. the previous year.
South American production for February 2010 totaled 3.38 million tonnes, a 21.5% increase compared to February 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Chile (+93.5%), Argentina (+48.3%), Peru (+48.1%) and Brazil (+47.9%), significant decreases were recorded in Venezuela (-55.5%) and Columbia (-40.7%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.1% of the total reported world production in February 2010, down from 3.4% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 7.07 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Many countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Africa totaled 1.22 million tonnes in February 2010, a 6.0% increase compared to February 2009. Comparing February 2010 to February 2009, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Libya (-45.2%) and Algeria (-25.6%) and the largest increase was recorded by South Africa (+15.9%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in February 2010, down slightly from 1.2% the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 2.57 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some of the countries in this region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.59 million tonnes in February 2010, a 17.0% increase compared to February 2009. Comparing February 2010 to February 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Qatar (+83.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+42.2%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.5% of the total reported world production in February 2010, up from 1.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 3.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.59 million tonnes in February 2010, a 75.9% increase compared to February 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in February 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 1.27 million tonnes of crude steel, a 49.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Total world production for February 2010 decreased 5.2% compared to the previous month, January 2010, but increased by 24.2% compared to February 2009.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 180 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.
