March 24, 2006 — Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) show that world crude steel production for the 61 countries reporting stood at an estimated 89.0 million tonnes in February — 4.9% higher than the 84.8 million tonnes produced in February 2005.

Weighing in at 54% of total world production for February 2006, production in Asia stood at 46.7 million tonnes in February, 10.9% higher than in February 2005. Representing 33.1% of world production for February, Chinese production was 29.5 million tonnes in February, an increase of 17.0% compared to February 2005.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 15.4 million tonnes of crude steel in February, 0.4% more than in February 2005. Comparing February 2006 to February 2005, crude steel production increased 69.2% in Luxembourg, but decreased 18.2% in Belgium. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 17.3% % of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.2 million tonnes in February, an increase of 2.6% compared to February 2005. Croatia showed the largest increase (+66.7%) over the period, followed by Serbia and Montenegro (+23.5%), while Romania exhibited the largest (–15.3%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.5 million tonnes in February, with a 1.1% increase compared to February 2005. Byelorussia had the largest (+7.6%) increase for the region, while Uzbekistan exhibited the largest (–2.4%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.6% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

North American production totaled 9.8 million tonnes in February, a 4.6% decrease compared to February 2005. Production also fell significantly in Canada (–6.5%), which contributed 1.4% of total world steel production for February. Production in the U.S. (contributing 8.2% of total world steel production for February) decreased 4.3% over the same period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 11.0% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

South American production for February 2006 totaled 3.2 million tonnes, a 12.3% decrease compared to February 2005. The most significant decreases took effect in Paraguay (–44.4%) and Brazil (–17.7%), while the largest increase was recorded in Peru (+20.7%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.6% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.3 million tonnes in February 2006, a 7.5% decrease compared to February 2005. Production in Algeria was down 36.8% compared to February 2005with all other reporting countries logging smaller decreases. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.2 million tonnes in February 2006, a 2.4% decrease compared to February 2005. Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in February, an increase of 1.8% compared to February 2005. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.8% of the total reported world production in February 2006.

Total world production for February was 5.6% lower than production for the previous month, January 2005.