Feb. 27, 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 94.7 million tonnes in January — 4.9% higher than the 90.2 million tonnes produced in January 2005.

Weighing in at 51% of total world production for January 2006, production in Asia climbed to 48.7 million tonnes in January, 11.9% higher than in January 2005. Representing 32.0% of world production for January, Chinese production grew to 30.3 million tonnes in January, an increase of 20.7% compared to January 2005.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 15.8 million tonnes of crude steel in January, 6.0% less than in January 2005. Comparing Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2005, crude steel production increased 90.1% in Luxembourg, but decreased 20.0% in the Belgium. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 16.7% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.5 million tonnes in January, an increase of 5.6% compared to January 2005. Turkey showed the largest increase (+13.0%) over the period, while Romania exhibited the largest (–17.9%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.6% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.5 million tonnes in January, with no significant increase compared to January 2005. Byelorussia had the largest (+8.0%) increase for the region, while Kazakhstan exhibited the largest (–4.8%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 10.0% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

North American production totaled 10.95 million tonnes in January, a 1.4% decrease compared to January 2005. Production also fell significantly in Canada (–8.2%), which contributed 1.3% of total world steel production for January. The U.S. (contributing 8.7% of total world steel production for January) exhibited no significant gain in total production over the same period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 11.6% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

South American production for January 2006 totaled 3.7 million tonnes, a 2.5% increase compared to January 2005. The most significant increases were recorded in Columbia (+21.2%) and Peru (+15.9%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 4.0% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.5 million tonnes in January 2006, a 6.7% increase compared to January 2005. Production in Zimbabwe was down 75% compared to January 2005, and production in Algeria was down by 34.1%. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.6% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.3 million tonnes in January 2006, a 9.4% increase compared to January 2005. Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in January, a decrease of 0.4% compared to January 2005. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.8% of the total reported world production in January 2006.

Total world production for January was 0.6% lower than production for the previous month, December 2005.