March 23, 2007 — Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 99.0 million tonnes in February — 8.6% higher than for the same month of 2006. Excluding China, world production fell 8.7% compared to the previous month (January 2007), and rose 2.9% compared to February 2006.

Weighing in at 54.7% of total world production for February 2007, production in Asia stood at 54.1 million tonnes in February, 13.6% higher than in February 2006. Representing 36.5% of world production for February, Chinese production was 36.1 million tonnes in February, a 20.1% increase compared to February 2006, but a 5.4% drop compared to the previous month (January 2007).

The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 16.6 million tonnes of crude steel in February, 2.9% more than in February 2006. Comparing February 2007 to February 2006, crude steel production increased 19.5% in Spain, 15.7% in Poland, 9.3% in the United Kingdom, and 8.9% in the Czech Republic, but decreased 8.3% in Italy. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 16.8% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.3 million tonnes in February, an increase of 14.8% compared to February 2006. Bosnia-Herzegovina showed the largest increase (+58.0%) over the period followed by Serbia and Montenegro (+30.3%), while Croatia exhibited the largest (–37.0%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.3% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.6 million tonnes in February, with an 11.5% increase compared to February 2006. Ukraine again had the largest (+18.2%) increase for the region, while Byelorussia decreased 3.4% over the period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.7% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

North American production totaled 9.5 million tonnes in February, an 8.6% decrease compared to February 2006. Comparing February 2007 to February 2006, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (+24.1%), while production in the U.S. (contributing 7.2% of total world steel production for February) decreased 8.0% over the same period. Production decreases were most significant in Canada (–23.5%) and in El Salvador (–16.7%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 9.5% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

South American production for February 2007 totaled 3.6 million tonnes, a 10.4% increase compared to February 2006. The most significant percentage increases took effect in Chile (+46.2%) and Brazil (+17.6%), while Uruguay (–81.5%) and Paraguay (–36.7%) logged the greatest decreases. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.6% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Production in Africa totaled 1.5 million tonnes in February 2007, a 10.4% increase compared to February 2006. Comparing February 2007 to February 2006, the most significant percentage increases took effect in Morocco (+267%) and Algeria (+114%), while Zimbabwe logged a decrease (–1.1%). Although these increases might appear to be significant, one must be aware that altogether, the African countries contributed only 1.5% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.2 million tonnes in February 2007, a 1.7% increase compared to February 2006. Comparing February to February, the most significant increase for the region was reported by Qatar (+18.2%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in February, a 0.2% decrease compared to February 2006. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in February 2007.

Total world production for February decreased 7.5% compared to production for the previous month, January 2007.