March 2011 World Crude Steel Production Climbs 11% over February Total
04/21/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 129 million tonnes for March 2011, 11.0% higher than the previous month (February 2011) and 7.0% higher in comparison with March 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 129 million tonnes for March 2011, 11.0% higher than the previous month (February 2011) and 7.0% higher in comparison with March 2010.
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World Steel Production, March '11
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Region
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% of March '11 Total
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Change vs. March '10
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EU (27)
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12.6%
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+4.0%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+26.4%
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CIS
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7.7%
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+5.0%
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N. America
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7.6%
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+0.3%
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S. America
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3.2%
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+14.4%
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Africa
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0.9%
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-17.8%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+19.2%
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Asia
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63.7%
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+8.0%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+6.3%
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World
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--
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+7.0%
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China logged a 9.0% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 5.3% vs. March 2010. Year-on-year changes (March 2011 vs. March 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as one decrease (Africa, -17.8%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin March 2011 was 81.9%, a slight decrease from the updated figure of 83.0% for February 2011. Compared to March 2010, the utilization ratio in March 2011 is 2.5 percentage points higher.
March Production by Region — Weighing in at 63.7% of total world production for March 2011 (down from 64.3% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 82.39 million tonnes in March, 8.0% higher than in March 2010. South Korea (+14.4%), Taiwan (+12.8%), and China (+9.0%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. March 2010.
Representing 45.9% of world production for March (down from 46.6% the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 45.9 million tonnes in March, representing a 9.4% increase compared to the previous month, and a 9.0% increase vs. March 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 237.33 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region logged single- or low double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 63.7% of the total reported world production in March 2011, down from 64.3% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 16.25 million tonnes of crude steel in March, up 4.0% from March 2010. Comparing March 2011 to March 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in the Netherlands (+30.2%), Bulgaria (+22.2%) and Austria (+20.7%), while Slovakia (-9.8%), France (-3.4%) and the U.K. (-3.1%) reported the largest decreases over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 45.62 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by the UK (-4.6%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.6% of the total reported world production in March 2011, up slightly from 12.4% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.05 million tonnes in March, an increase of 26.4% compared to March 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+197%) and Serbia (+95.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 8.82 million tonnes of crude steel, a 30.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region all reported double- or triple-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, with the exception of Bosnia-Herzegovina (+6.6%).
Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in March 2011, unchanged from 2.4% in the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.92 million tonnes in March, reflecting a 5.0% increase compared to March 2010. While Kazakhstan (+22.6%) reported the largest increase vs. March 2010, Moldova (-100%) logged the largest decrease.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 28.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Moldova (-100%).
Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.7% of the total reported world production in March 2011, up slightly from 7.3% the previous month.
North American production totaled 9.86 million tonnes in March, a 0.3% increase in comparison to March 2010. Comparing March 2011 to March 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (+70.7%) and Guatemala (+37.0%), while decreases were recorded in Cuba (-23.7%), Canada (-3.1%) and the U.S. (-0.2%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 28.90 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region (other than Cuba and Canada) reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in March 2011, down from 7.7% in the previous month.
South American production for March 2011 totaled 4.14 million tonnes, a 14.4% increase compared to March 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Venezuela (+114.1%) and Ecuador (+29.3%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Uruguay (-100.0%) and Paraguay (-86.1%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 11.66 million tonnes of crude steel, a 12.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Uruguay (-100.0%) and Paraguay (-83.9%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.2% of the total reported world production in March 2011, unchanged vs. the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.19 million tonnes in March 2011, a 17.8% decrease compared to March 2010. Comparing March 2011 to March 2010, an increase was recorded in Egypt (+9.0%) while decreases were reported in Libya (-100.0%), Morocco (-57.6%), Algeria (-38.8%) and South Africa (-23.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 3.47 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.9% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
The African countries contributed 0.9% of the total reported world production in March 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.82 million tonnes in March 2011, a 19.2% increase compared to March 2010. Comparing March 2011 to March 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Iran (+25.2%) and Saudi Arabia (+12.1%).
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 5.24 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in March 2011, unchanged from 1.4% the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.73 million tonnes in March 2011, a 6.3% increase compared to March 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in March 2011, up slightly from the previous month.
Total world production for March 2011 decreased 11.0% compared to the previous month, February 2011, and increased by 7.0% compared to March 2010.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 170 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.
