Aug. 22, 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 103.6 million tonnes in July — 14.8% higher than for the same month of 2005. Excluding China, world production rose 11.2% compared to July 2005. Year-to-date (YTD) production (the first seven months of 2006) reached 700.4 million tonnes, 9.1% more than the 641.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

Weighing in at 53% of total world production for July 2006, production in Asia stood at 55.2 million tonnes in July, 16.4% higher than in July 2005. Representing 34.8% of world production for July, Chinese production was 36.1 million tonnes in July, an increase of 22.2% compared to July 2005. Asia’s YTD production reached 366.8 million tonnes, 13.1% more than the 324.5 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 16.5 million tonnes of crude steel in July, 13.8% more than in July 2005. Comparing July 2006 to July 2005, crude steel production increased 46.2% in Slovakia and 39.2% in the Poland, but decreased 9.6% in Sweden. YTD production for the region reached 117.6 million tonnes, 5.5% more than the 111.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 16.0% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.9 million tonnes in July, an increase of 2.8% compared to July 2005. Serbia and Montenegro showed the largest increase (+89.6%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–33.4%) decrease. YTD production for the region reached 19.2 million tonnes, 10.7% more than the 17.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.8% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.3 million tonnes in July, with a 14.5% increase compared to July 2005. Byelorussia had the largest (+25.0%) increase for the region, while Moldova exhibited the largest (–49.4%) decrease. YTD production for the CIS countries reached 68.9 million tonnes, 6.4% more than the 64.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.9% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

North American production totaled 11.3 million tonnes in July, a 16.7% increase compared to July 2005. Production in the U.S. (contributing 8.2% of total world steel production for July) increased 18.7% over the same period. YTD production for North America reached 78.7 million tonnes, 6.9% more than the 73.6 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 10.9% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

South American production for July 2006 totaled 3.9 million tonnes, a 7.4% increase compared to July 2005. The most significant increases took effect in Ecuador (+154.9%), Columbia (+50.2%) and Paraguay (+48.9%). YTD production for South America reached 25.7 million tonnes, 2.7% less than the 26.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.8% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.4 million tonnes in July 2006, a 4.9% increase compared to July 2005. Production was down by 61.5% in Zimbabwe and by 53.6% in Libya compared to July 2005, while production in Algeria grew 23.5% over the same period. YTD production for the region reached 9.8 million tonnes, 5.1% less than the 10.3 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.2 million tonnes in July 2006, a 0.7% increase compared to July 2005. YTD production for the region reached 8.6 million tonnes, 2.1% more than the 8.5 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 July 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in July, a 0.2% increase compared to July 2005. YTD production for the region reached 5.05 million tonnes, 0.9% more than the 4.99 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in July 2006.

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