Sep. 26, 2006 — Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute show that world crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting stood at an estimated 101.6 million tonnes in August — 11.0% higher than for the same month of 2005. Excluding China, world production rose 7.9% compared to August 2005. Year-to-date (YTD) production (the first eight months of 2006) reached 802.0 million tonnes, 9.4% more than the 733.2 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

Weighing in at 53% of total world production for August 2006, production in Asia stood at 55.6 million tonnes in August, 13.1% higher than in August 2005. Representing 36.1% of world production for August, Chinese production was 36.7 million tonnes in August, an increase of 17.0% compared to August 2005. Asia’s YTD production reached 422.4 million tonnes, 13.1% more than the 373.6 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 14.5 million tonnes of crude steel in August, 10.5% more than in August 2005. Comparing August 2006 to August 2005, crude steel production increased 36.7% in both Poland and Slovakia, but decreased 31.0% in Hungary. YTD production for the region reached 132.1 million tonnes, 6.1% more than the 124.5 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 14.3% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.8 million tonnes in August, an increase of 6.9% compared to August 2005. Serbia and Montenegro showed the largest increase (+44.7%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–38.6%) decrease. YTD production for the region reached 22.1 million tonnes, 10.4% more than the 20.0 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.8% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.2 million tonnes in August, with a 9.8% increase compared to August 2005. Byelorussia had the largest (+35.9%) increase for the region, while Moldova exhibited the largest (–34.8%) decrease. YTD production for the CIS countries reached 79.1 million tonnes, 7.0% more than the 74.0 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 10.0% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

North American production totaled 11.1 million tonnes in August, a 9.7% increase compared to August 2005. Production in the U.S. (contributing 8.3% of total world steel production for August) increased 11.3% over the same period. YTD production for North America reached 89.6 million tonnes, 7.0% more than the 83.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 11.0% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

South American production for August 2006 totaled 4.0 million tonnes, a 6.7% increase compared to August 2005. The most significant increases took effect in Ecuador (+156.4%), Paraguay (+141.9%) and Columbia (+42.7%). YTD production for South America reached 29.7 million tonnes, 1.5% less than the 30.1 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 4.0% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.4 million tonnes in August 2006, a 4.9% decrease compared to August 2005. Production was down by 54.5% in Zimbabwe and by 44.2% in Libya compared to August 2005, while production in Algeria grew 20.5% over the same period. YTD production for the region reached 11.2 million tonnes, 5.1% less than the 11.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.2 million tonnes in August 2006, a 0.8% increase compared to August 2005. YTD production for the region reached 9.9 million tonnes, 2.1% more than the 9.7 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.8 million tonnes in August, a 2.6% increase compared to August 2005. YTD production for the region reached 5.82 million tonnes, 1.1% more than the 5.76 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.8% of the total reported world production in August 2006.

Total world production for August was 5.6% lower than production for the previous month, June 2006.