March World Crude Steel Output More than 30% above Last Year
04/21/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 120.31 million tonnes in March 2010 — an 11.2% increase from the previous month (February 2010) and a 30.6% increase vs. March 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 120.31 million tonnes in March 2010 — an 11.2% increase from the previous month (February 2010) and a 30.6% increase vs. March 2009.
China again logged a 22.5% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 25.7% vs. March 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in March 2010 was 80.2%, virtually unchanged from the previous month (February 2010). Compared to March 2009, the utilization ratio in March 2010 increased by 15.3 percentage points.
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World Steel Production, March '10
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Region
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% of Mar. '10 Total
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Change vs. March '09
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EU (27)
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12.6%
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+47.3%
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Other EU
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2.0%
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+21.0%
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CIS
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7.6%
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+20.2%
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N. America
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8.0%
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+62.8%
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S. America
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3.3%
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+51.5%
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Africa
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1.1%
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+12.2%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+0.5%
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Asia
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63.4%
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+26.0%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+127.8%
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World
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--
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+30.6%
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Weighing in at 63.4% of total world production for March 2010 (down from 64.3% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 76.32 million tonnes in March, 26.0% higher than in March 2009. Japan (+62.8%) and Taiwan (+40.1%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. March 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 219.01 million tonnes of crude steel, a 27.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. All countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year.
Representing 45.7% of world production for March (down from 46.8% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 54.97 million tonnes in March. China’s reported production represents a 22.5% increase compared to March 2009.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.19 million tonnes of crude steel in March, up 47.3% from March 2009. Comparing March 2010 to March 2009, crude steel production grew by 91.5% in Germany, by 71.2% in Sweden, and by 64.2% in Austria, but fell by 42.1% in Other EU(27). Most other countries in the region reported double-digit year-on-year increases over the period; exceptions included Greece (-5.7%), the U.K. (+1.5%), and Bulgaria (+3.2%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.6% of the total reported world production in March 2010, up slightly from 12.4% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 42.14 million tonnes of crude steel, a 37.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most of the other countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.55 million tonnes in March, an increase of 21.0% compared to March 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina (+113.6%) and Switzerland (+61.7%) while Macedonia reported an 11.8% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.1% of the total reported world production in March 2010, up slightly from 2.0% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 7.11 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, but others have recorded double-digit decreases (Macedonia, Norway).
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.16 million tonnes in March, reflecting a 20.2% increase compared to March 2009. While Moldova, Ukraine (+25.8%) and Russia (+19.6%) reported double-digit increases vs. March 2009, other countries in the region reported decreases, including Uzbekistan (-8.8%), Byelorussia (-6.1%) and Kazakhstan (-1.9%). Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in March 2010, up from 7.3% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 25.53 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
North American production totaled 9.60 million tonnes in March, a 62.8% increase in comparison to March 2009. Comparing March 2010 to March 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Guatemala (+85.2%) the U.S. (+74.2%), Trinidad and Tobago (+60.8%), and Canada (+55.9%). Other countries in the region reported double-digit increases over the period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.0% of the total reported world production in March 2010, up from 7.6% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 27.05 million tonnes of crude steel, a 53.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double- or triple-digit increases vs. the previous year.
South American production for March 2010 totaled 3.93 million tonnes, a 51.5% increase compared to March 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Argentina (+82.1%), Brazil (+63.4%), and Paraguay (+53.8%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Columbia (-36.4%), Ecuador (-12.3%) and Uruguay (-10.4%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in March 2010, up slightly from 3.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 10.94 million tonnes of crude steel, a 38.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while others report double-digit losses (Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador).
Production in Africa totaled 1.37 million tonnes in March 2010, a 12.2% increase compared to March 2009. Comparing March 2010 to March 2009, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Libya (-37.8%) and Algeria (-43.0%) and the largest increase was recorded by Morocco (+126.1%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in March 2010, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 3.95 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some of the countries in this region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while others (Libya, Algeria) are reporting double-digit decreases.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.52 million tonnes in March 2010, a 0.5% increase compared to March 2009. Comparing March 2010 to March 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Qatar (+73.8%) while single-digit decreases were reported by Iran (-5.6%) and Saudi Arabia (-2.0%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in March 2010, down from 1.5% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 4.69 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.68 million tonnes in March 2010, a 127.8% increase compared to March 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.68% of the total reported world production in March 2009, up slightly from 0.6% the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 1.95 million tonnes of crude steel, a 69.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for March 2010 increased 11.2% compared to the previous month, February 2010, and increased by 30.6% compared to March 2009. Year to date production, at 342.36 million tonnes, reflects a 29.0% increase over YTD 2009.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 180 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.
