Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) show that world crude steel production for the 61 countries reporting stood at 83.9 million tonnes in February — 3.7% higher than for February 2004.

Production in the 25 European Union countries stands at 15.1 million tonnes in February, representing 18% of international production for the month and a 1>8% decrease compared to February 2004. Production dropped in France (–4.2%), Germany (–1.4%), and the United Kingdom (–5.8%) compared to the same month in 2004. Crude steel production in Italy grew by 3.1%.

Compared to February 2004, production fell by 1.2% in Other Europe, to 2.1 million tonnes or 2.5% of total international production. Of the reporting countries, only Serbia and Montenegro increased production (+14.5%) compared to February 2004.

In the CIS, production fell by 2.6% compared to February 2004, to 8.5 million tonnes or 10.2% of total international production. The widest swings in production over the period were reported by Byelorussia (+13.5% compared to February 2004) and Kazakhstan (–15.4%).

In North America production fell in Canada (–6.7%) and the United States (–3.0%). Year-to-date (YTD) production in the region stands at 21.3 million tonnes, representing 12.3% of total YTD production.

In South America, production fell by 4.5% compared to February 2004, to 3.5 million tonnes or 4.1% of total international production. The widest swings in production over the period were reported by Uruguay (+36.1%), Ecuador (–18.0%) and Venezuela (–17.8%).

Production in Africa grew by 2.8% compared to February 2004, to 1.3 million tonnes or 1.6% of total international production. Production grew by 63.3% over the period in Libya, and by 185.5% in Zimbabwe.

In the Middle East, production grew by a substantial 8.4% compared to February 2004; however, the region produced only 1.4% of total international production for February 2005. Iran produced 786,000 tonnes of crude steel in February, a rise of 13.4% compared to the same month in 2004. Total Iranian production for the year stands at 1.5 million tonnes, a rise of 12.0% YTD.

China produced 24.8 million tonnes of crude steel in February, representing 29.6% of international production for February and a 21.2% increase over February 2004. Total production for the Asian region was 41.4 million tonnes, a rise of 10.3% compared to February 2004.

February production in Oceania fell by 3.5% compared to February 2004, to 668,000 tonnes or 0.8% of total February production.

Total world production for February, 83.9 million tonnes, reflects a 3.7% increase over February 2005. Excluding China, international production actually fell by 2.2% when compared to February 2004. YTD 2005 production represents a 6.2% increase compared to YTD 2004. Excluding China, international production grew by only 0.72% compared to YTD 2004.

Note from IISI: Due to the leap year, February 2004 consisted of 29 days. Minor statistical variations may occur when comparing data for February 2004 and 2005.