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May World Crude Steel Output up 2.9% from Previous Month
06/22/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 124.18 million tonnes in May 2010 — a 2.1% increase from the previous month (April 2010) and a 29.1% increase vs. May 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 124.18 million tonnes in May 2010 — a 2.1% increase from the previous month (April 2010) and a 29.1% increase vs. May 2009.
While China logged a 20.7% year-on-year increase, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 37.0% vs. May 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that world crude steel production was 9.8% higher in May 2010 than in May 2007, prior to the impact of the global economic crisis. However, while China, South Korea and Turkey showed increased crude steel production in May 2010 compared to the same month 2007, production in the U.S., Italy, Spain and Japan is not yet back to pre-crisis production levels. The EU is -18%, North America -14% and Latin America -9.8% down on the five months to May vs. the comparable YTD 2007 period.
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries reached 82% in May, a slight decline from 83.4% the previous month (April 2010). Compared to May 2009, the utilization ratio in May 2010 increased by 15 percentage points.
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World Steel Production, May '10
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Region
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% of May '10 Total
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Change vs. May '09
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EU (27)
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13.1%
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+51.2%
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Other EU
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2.3%
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+20.7%
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CIS
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7.7%
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+25.1%
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N. America
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7.9%
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+67.1%
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S. America
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3.0%
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+32.4%
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Africa
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1.2%
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+21.8%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+14.9%
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Asia
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62.9%
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+22.7%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+80.7%
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World
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--
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+29.1%
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Weighing in at 62.9% of total world production for May 2010 (down from 63.4% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 78.14 million tonnes in May, 22.7% higher than in May 2009. Japan (+50.2%), South Korea (+28.0%) and Taiwan (+27.0%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. May 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 372.39 million tonnes of crude steel, a 25.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year; exceptions include Taiwan (-12.7%) and Japan (-8.5%).
Representing 45.2% of world production for May (down slightly from 45.5% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 56.14 million tonnes in May. China’s reported production represents a 20.7% increase compared to May 2009.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 16.32 million tonnes of crude steel in May, up 51.2% from May 2009. Comparing May 2010 to May 2009, crude steel production grew by 272.3% in Slovenia, 120.5% in Belgium, and 105.4% in Sweden, but fell by 20.6% in Greece. Most other countries in the region reported double-digit year-on-year increases over the period; one exception was the U.K. (+1.6%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 13.1% of the total reported world production in May 2010, up slightly from 12.7% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 74.36 million tonnes of crude steel, a 45.9% 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, with the exception of Greece (-20.3%).
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.84 million tonnes in May, an increase of 20.7% compared to May 2009. The most significant increase was recorded in Turkey (+18.8%) while Croatia reported a 16.7% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.3% of the total reported world production in May 2010, up slightly from 2.2% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 12.63 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report double-digit decreases vs. the previous (Macedonia, Norway).
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.57 million tonnes in May, reflecting a 25.1% increase compared to May 2009. While Ukraine (+30.6%) and Russia (+24.6%) reported double-digit increases vs. May 2009, other countries in the region reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.7% of the total reported world production in May 2010, virtually unchanged from 7.6% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 44.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 22.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report single-digit decreases vs. the previous year (Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan).
North American production totaled 9.84 million tonnes in May, a 67.1% increase in comparison to May 2009. Comparing May 2010 to May 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Canada (+114.3%), the U.S. (+73.8%), and Trinidad and Tobago (+65.7%). Other countries in the region reported smaller increases over the period including Mexico (+24.0%), Cuba (+3.7%), and Guatemala (+0.0%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in May 2010, down slightly from 8.0% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 46.64 million tonnes of crude steel, a 60.7% 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 May 2010 totaled 3.70 million tonnes, a 32.4% increase compared to May 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Argentina (+63.1%), Paraguay (+62.8%), Brazil (+50.8%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Chile (-100.0%) and Venezuela (-44.2%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.0% of the total reported world production in May 2010, up slightly from 2.9% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 17.59 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while others report double-digit losses (Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, and Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.45 million tonnes in May 2010, a 21.8% increase compared to May 2009. Comparing May 2010 to May 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+59.1%) and Morocco (+43.4%), while a decrease was recorded in Libya (-11.2%). The African countries contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in May 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 6.78 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.2% 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 1.65 million tonnes in May 2010, a 14.9% increase compared to May 2009. Comparing May 2010 to May 2009, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Qatar (+118.9%) while single-digit increases were reported by Iran (+8.3%) and Saudi Arabia (+9.5%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in May 2010, down from 1.4% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 8.01 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.4% 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 0.69 million tonnes in May 2010, an 80.7% increase compared to May 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in May 2009, up slightly from 0.5% the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 3.29 million tonnes of crude steel, a 75.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for May 2010 increased 2.1% compared to the previous month, April 2010, and increased by 29.1% compared to May 2009. Year to date production, at 586.06 million tonnes, reflects a 29.8% 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.
