Nov. 3, 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 September — 8.8% higher than for the same month of 2005. Excluding China, world production rose 4.1% compared to September 2005. Year-to-date (YTD) production (the first nine months of 2006) reached 903.4 million tonnes, 9.3% more than the 826.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

Weighing in at 54% of total world production for September 2006, production in Asia stood at 55.0 million tonnes in September, 14.0% higher than in September 2005. Representing 35.7% of world production for September, Chinese production was 36.1 million tonnes in September, an increase of 18.5% compared to September 2005. Asia’s YTD production reached 477.2 million tonnes through the first nine months, 13.1% more than the 421.9 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period.

The twenty-five countries of the European Union (EU(25)) produced 15.7 million tonnes of crude steel in September, 2.1% more than in September 2005. Comparing September 2006 to September 2005, crude steel production increased 26.0% in Finland and 18.3% in the Czech Republic, but decreased 73.5% in Greece, 53.4% in the Netherlands, and 46.8% in Luxembourg. YTD production for the region reached 148.0 million tonnes, 5.8% more than the 139.9 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries in the EU25 contributed 15.5% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

Production in Other Europe totaled 2.8 million tonnes in September, an increase of 9.7% compared to September 2005. Switzerland showed the largest increase (+21.0%) over the period, while Croatia exhibited the largest (–34.9%) decrease. YTD production for the region reached 24.9 million tonnes, 10.2% more than the 22.6 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.8% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.8 million tonnes in September, with a 4.0% increase compared to September 2005. Uzbekistan had the largest (+55.8%) increase for the region, while Kazakhstan exhibited the largest (–10.6%) decrease. YTD production for the CIS countries reached 88.9 million tonnes, 6.6% more than the 83.4 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.6% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

North American production totaled 11.0 million tonnes in September, a 2.9% increase compared to September 2005. Comparing September 2006 to September 2005, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (138.1%) and Guatemala (+31.6%). Production in the U.S. (which contributed 7.9% of total world steel production for September) increased 3.5% over the same period. YTD production for North America reached 100.4 million tonnes, 6.6% more than the 94.1 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 10.5% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

South American production for September 2006 totaled 4.0 million tonnes, an 8.9% increase compared to September 2005. The most significant percentage increases took effect in Paraguay (+111.3%) and Uruguay (+63.9%). YTD production for South America reached 33.8 million tonnes, 0.1% less than the 33.8 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 4.0% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

Production in Africa totaled 1.4 million tonnes in September 2006, a 1.2% decrease compared to September 2005. Production was down by 50.0% in Zimbabwe and by 18.5% in Egypt compared to September 2005, while production in Algeria grew 150.6% over the same period. YTD production for the region reached 12.6 million tonnes, 4.6% less than the 13.2 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

Production in the Middle East totaled 1.2 million tonnes in September 2006, a 4.5% decrease compared to September 2005. YTD production for the region reached 11.1 million tonnes, 1.4% more than the 10.9 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 September 2006.

Production in Oceania totaled 0.7 million tonnes in September, a 3.5% decrease compared to September 2005. YTD production for the region reached 6.53 million tonnes, 0.3% more than the 6.51 million tonnes produced in the comparable 2005 period. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in September 2006.

Total world production for September was slightly (0.4%) lower than production for the previous month, August 2006.