IISI Reports World Steel Production for February 2008
03/21/2008 - Steel production for the 67 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute stood at an estimated 106.9 million tonnes in February — 5.3% higher than for the same month of 2007.
Figures released by the International Iron and Steel Institute show that world crude steel production for the 67 countries reporting stood at an estimated 106.9 million tonnes in February 2008 — 5.3% higher than for the same month of 2008, but 5.3% lower than the previous month (January 2008). Excluding China, world production grew by 4.4% compared to February 2007, but fell by 6.0% compared to the previous month (January 2008).
Weighing in at 55.4% of total world production for February 2008, production in Asia stood at 59.2 million tonnes in February, 7.3% higher than in February 2007. Representing 36.4% of world production for February, Chinese production was reported at 38.9 million tonnes in February, a 7.0% increase compared to February 2007, and a 4.1% decrease compared to the previous month.
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World Steel Production, Feb. '08
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Region
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% of Feb. '08 Total
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Change vs. Feb. '07
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EU (27)
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15.5%
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-2.0%
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Other EU
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2.5%
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+15.3%
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CIS
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9.5%
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+4.3%
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N. America
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10.2%
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+5.2%
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S. America
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3.6%
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+6.0%
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Africa
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1.4%
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+4.4%
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Middle East
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1.2%
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+2.6%
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Asia
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55.4%
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+7.3%
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Oceania
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0.7%
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+12.0%
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World
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--
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+5.3%
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The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 16.6 million tonnes of crude steel in February, 2.0% less than in February 2007. Comparing February 2008 to February 2007, crude steel production increased by 20.9% in the Netherlands and by 20.4% in Slovenia, but fell by 43.7% in Bulgaria and by 9.4% in Belgium. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 15.5% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.7 million tonnes in February, an increase of 15.3% compared to February 2007. Bosnia-Herzegovina showed the largest increase (+86.8%), followed by Serbia (+21.1%), while production fell by 23.1% in Croatia. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 10.2 million tonnes in February, reflecting a 4.3% increase compared to February 2007. Kazakhstan reported the largestdecrease (–19.9%) over the period. Altogether, these countries contributed 9.5% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
North American production totaled 10.9 million tonnes in February, a 5.2% increase compared to February 2007. Comparing February 2008 to February 2007, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Cuba (+59.2%), while production grew by 5.5% in the U.S. and by 8.1% in Canada over the same period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 10.2% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
South American production for February 2008 totaled 3.9 million tonnes, a 6.0% increase compared to February 2007. The most significant percentage increases took effect in Peru (+25.0%), while Ecuador (–34.2%) logged the greatest percentage decrease. Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.6% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.5 million tonnes in February 2008, a 4.4% increase compared to February 2007. Comparing February 2008 to February 2007, the most significant percentage increase took effect in Egypt (+34.4%), while production fell most significantly in Algeria (–47.3%) over the same period. The African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.31 million tonnes in February 2008, a 2.6% increase compared to February 2007. Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.74 million tonnes in August, a 12.0% increase compared to February 2007. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in February 2008.
Total world production for February decreased 5.3% compared to the previous month, January 2008.
