June 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 104.1 million tonnes in May — 9.3% higher than the 95.2 million tonnes produced in May 2005. Year-to-date (YTD) production (through the first five months of 2006) reached 490.7 million tonnes, 7.1% more than the 458.3 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

Weighing in at 53% of total world production for May 2006, production in Asia stood at 55.3 million tonnes in May, 13.1% higher than in May 2005. Representing 34.5% of world production for May, Chinese production was 35.9 million tonnes in May, an increase of 19.6% compared to May 2005. Asia’s YTD production reached 255.5 million tonnes, 12.4% more than the 227.3 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 17.5 million tonnes of crude steel in May, 8.7% more than in May 2005. Comparing May 2006 to May 2005, crude steel production increased 52.4% in Luxembourg and 24.3% in the Czech Republic, but decreased 12.7% in Greece and 5.1% in the U.K. YTD production for the region reached 83.5 million tonnes, 2.4% more than the 81.5 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 16.8% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.8 million tonnes in May, an increase of 13.8% compared to May 2005. Serbia and Montenegro showed the largest increase (+111.5%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–5.7%) decrease. YTD production for the region reached 13.5 million tonnes, 10.0% more than the 12.3 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.7% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.2 million tonnes in May, with a 6.8% increase compared to May 2005. Byelorussia had the largest (+8.6%) increase for the region, while Moldova exhibited the largest (–54.0%) decrease. YTD production for the CIS countries reached 48.4 million tonnes, 2.5% more than the 47.2 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.8% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

North American production totaled 11.1 million tonnes in May, a 4.1% increase compared to May 2005. Production fell significantly in Canada (–1.8%), which contributed 1.3% of total world steel production for May. Production in the U.S. (contributing 8.1% of total world steel production for May) increased 8.4% over the same period. YTD production for North America reached 55.2 million tonnes, 2.0% more than the 54.1 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 10.7% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

South American production for May 2006 totaled 3.7 million tonnes, a 5.5% decrease compared to May 2005. The most significant decreases took effect in Paraguay (–52.4%) and Uruguay (–18.0%), while the largest increase was recorded in Ecuador (+40.8%). YTD production for South America reached 18.0 million tonnes, 5.3% less than the 19.0 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.6% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.5 million tonnes in May 2006, a 6.8% decrease compared to May 2005. Production in Zimbabwe was down 83.3% compared to May 2005, while production in Libya grew 12.5% over the same period. YTD production for the region reached 6.9 million tonnes, 6.0% less than the 7.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.3 million tonnes in May 2006, a 1.3% decrease compared to May 2005. YTD production for the region reached 6.2 million tonnes, 2.7% more than the 6.1 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 May 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in May, a virtually unchanged compared to May 2005. YTD production for the region reached 3.50 million tonnes, 1.2% less than the 3.55 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in May 2006.

Total world production for May was 4.3% lower than production for the previous month, April 2006.