Feb. 22, 2007 — Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute show that world crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting stood at an estimated 107.9 million tonnes in January — 13.5% higher than for the same month of 2006. Excluding China, world production rose 3.9% compared to the previous month (December 2006), and rose 7.1% compared to January 2006.

Weighing in at 54% of total world production for January 2007, production in Asia stood at 58.4 million tonnes in January, 20.1% higher than in January 2006. Representing 35.6% of world production for January, Chinese production was 38.4 million tonnes in January, a 27.3% increase compared to January 2006.

The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 18.1 million tonnes of crude steel in January, 9.7% more than in January 2006. Comparing January 2007 to January 2006, crude steel production increased 25.6% in Germany, 25.4% in Spain, and 17.6% in Austria, but decreased 7.7% in Luxembourg. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 16.7% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.4 million tonnes in January, an increase of 13.4% compared to January 2006. Serbia and Montenegro showed the largest increase (+25.5%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–26.8%) decrease. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.2% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.7 million tonnes in January, with an 11.0% increase compared to January 2006. Uzbekistan again had the largest (+35.6%) increase for the region, while Moldova decreased 3.6% over the period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.9% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

North American production totaled 10.9 million tonnes in January, a 0.5% decrease compared to January 2006. Comparing January 2007 to January 2006, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Cuba (+36.6%), while production in the U.S. (contributing 7.7% of total world steel production for January) increased 2.7% over the same period. Production decreases were most significant in Trinidad and Tobago (–33.3%) and in Canada (–18.9%) Altogether, the North American countries contributed 10.1% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

South American production for January 2007 totaled 3.8 million tonnes, a 2.2% increase compared to January 2006. The most significant percentage increases took effect in Columbia (+22.2%) and Paraguay (+20.5%), while Argentina logged the greatest decrease (–18.5%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.5% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

Production in Africa totaled 1.6 million tonnes in January 2007, a 7.5% increase compared to January 2006. Comparing January 2007 to January 2006, the most significant percentage increases took effect in Morocco (+330%) and Algeria (+110%), while the largest decrease was recorded for Zimbabwe (–66.7%). 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 January 2007.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.3 million tonnes in January 2007, a 3.2% increase compared to January 2006. Comparing January to January, the most significant increase for the region was reported by Qatar (+10.1%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in January, a 4.3% decrease compared to January 2006. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in January 2007.

Total world production for January was slightly (2.7%) higher than production for the previous month, December 2006.