Dec. 21, 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 101.4 million tonnes in November — 10.3% higher than for the same month of 2005. Excluding China, world production rose 3.7% compared to November 2005, but fell 2.9% compared to the previous month, October 2006. Year-to-date (YTD) production (the first eleven months of 2006) reached 1112.6 million tonnes, 8.9% more than the 1021.5 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

Weighing in at 54% of total world production for November 2006, production in Asia stood at 57.6 million tonnes in November, 18.2% higher than in November 2005. Representing 36.4% of world production for November, Chinese production was 38.0 million tonnes in November, an increase of 24.1% compared to November 2005. Asia’s YTD production reached 589.2 million tonnes through the first eleven months, 12.5% more than the 523.7 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 16.3 million tonnes of crude steel in November, 2.5% more than in November 2005. Comparing November 2006 to November 2005, crude steel production increased 11.7% in Slovakia and 11.2% in the Slovenia, but decreased 49.2% in the Netherlands, and 11.5% in the Czech Republic. YTD production for the region reached 182.7 million tonnes, 5.9% more than the 172.6 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 15.7% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.8 million tonnes in November, an increase of 8.5% compared to November 2005. Switzerland again showed the largest increase (+24.2%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–36.3%) decrease. YTD production for the region reached 30.6 million tonnes, 9.9% more than the 27.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.7% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.1 million tonnes in November, with a 5.1% increase compared to November 2005. Uzbekistan again had the largest (+85.7%) increase for the region, while Kazakhstan exhibited the largest (–10.2%) decrease. YTD production for the CIS countries reached 109.1 million tonnes, 6.0% more than the 103.0 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.7% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

North American production totaled 10.2 million tonnes in November, a 2.2% decrease compared to November 2005. Comparing November 2006 to November 2005, the largest percentage increases were again recorded in El Salvador (200.0%) and Guatemala (+247.2%). Production in the U.S. (contributing 7.1% of total world steel production for November) decreased 5.5% over the same period. YTD production for North America reached 122.2 million tonnes, 5.7% more than the 115.6 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 9.8% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

South American production for November 2006 totaled 3.9 million tonnes, a 1.8% increase compared to November 2005. The most significant percentage increases took effect in Columbia (+45.8%) and Paraguay (+37.0%). YTD production for South America reached 41.8 million tonnes, 0.7% more than the 41.5 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.7% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.4 million tonnes in November 2006, a 3.0% increase compared to November 2005. Production was down by 80.0% in Zimbabwe and by 10.6% in Egypt compared to November 2005, while production in South Africa grew 10.1% over the same period. YTD production for the region reached 15.5 million tonnes, 3.5% less than the 16.0 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.1 million tonnes in November 2006, a 10.4% decrease compared to November 2005. YTD production for the region reached 13.5 million tonnes, 0.9% more than the 13.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in November, a 1.2% increase compared to November 2005. YTD production for the region reached 8.01 million tonnes, 0.6% more than the 7.97 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in November 2006.

Total world production for November was slightly (1.7%) lower than production for the previous month, October 2006.