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 94.1 million tonnes in November — 4.1% higher than for the November 2004. Year-to-date world crude steel production has already exceeded 1 billion tonnes for the year. (2004 was the first year in which the world produced more than one billion tonnes of crude steel.)

Weighing in at nearly 52% of total world production for November 2005, production in Asia climbed to 48.7 million tonnes in November, 10.5% higher than in November 2004. Representing 32.4% of world production for November, Chinese production grew to 30.5 million tonnes in November, an increase of 17.4% compared to November 2004. Year-to-date production for the total Asian region, 516.9 million tonnes, reflects a 15.6% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD production in China was 317.7 million tonnes, an increase of 25.5% compared to YTD 2004.

The twenty five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 15.9 million tonnes of crude steel in November, 4.0% less than in November 2004. Comparing November 2005 to November 2004, crude steel production increased 39.5% in Greece, but decreased 16.2% in the Czech Republic. Year-to-date production for the region, 171.5 million tonnes, is 3.8% lower than YTD 2004 production.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.4 million tonnes in November, an increase of 9.6% compared to November 2004. Croatia showed the largest increase (+29.5%) over the period, while Romania exhibited a slight (–3.3%) decrease. Year-to-date production for the region, 26.3 million tonnes, reflects a 1.1% increase compared to YTD 2004.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.6 million tonnes in November, an increase of 3.3% compared to November 2004. Countries exhibiting the most significant growth over the period included Moldova (+84.8%) and Byelorussia (+42.9%). These two countries contributed only one tenth and two tenths of a percent of total world production in November, respectively. Year-to-date production for the region, 102.3 million tonnes, reflects a 0.2% decrease compared to YTD 2004.

North American production totaled 10.3 million tonnes in November, a 6.1% decrease compared to November 2004. Production also fell significantly in Canada (–5.2%) and the United States (–5.6%) over the same period. These decreases are significant, as these two countries contributed 1.4% and 8.2% of total world steel production in November. Year-to-date production for the region, 115.7 million tonnes, reflects a 5.3% decrease compared to YTD 2004. Canadian and U.S. production fell by 4.9% and 5.9% over the same period.

South American production for November 2005 totaled 3.8 million tonnes, a 2.4% decrease compared to November 2004. The most significant cutbacks were recorded in Chile (–39.2%). Year-to-date production for the region, 41.5 million tonnes, reflects a 1.2% decrease compared to YTD 2004.

Production in Africa totaled 1.4 million tonnes in November 2005, a 3.6% decrease compared to November 2004. Year-to-date production for the region, 16.0 million tonnes, reflects a 6.7% increase compared to YTD 2004.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.3 million tonnes in November 2005, a 3.2% increase compared to November 2004. Year to date production for the region, 13.4 million tonnes, is 7.4% higher than YTD 2004.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in November, an increase of 3.0% compared to November 2004. Year-to-date production for the region, 8.0 million tonnes, reflects a 4.6% increase compared to YTD 2004.

Total world production for year-to-date 2005 reached 1,011.6 million tonnes through November, an increase of 6.1% compared to the first eleven months of last year. Excluding China, world crude steel production reached 694.0 million tonnes, 0.9% lower than for the same period of 2004.