November World Crude Steel Production Slips 2.8% from Previous Month
12/21/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 114.12 million tonnes in November 2010 — a 2.8% decrease from the previous month (October 2010) and a 5.1% increase vs. November 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 114.12 million tonnes in November 2010 — a 2.8% decrease from the previous month (November 2010) and an 5.1% increase vs. November 2009.
While China logged a 4.8% year-on-year increase, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 5.3% vs. November 2009. Year-on-year changes (November 2010 vs. November 2009) included both increases and decreases that varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first eleven months of 2010 was 1281 million tonnes, 16.2% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the eleven months of 2010 compared to the eleven months of 2009, although several countries did report significant year-on-year decreases.
World crude steel production in November 2010 was 31.9% higher than in November 2008 (when the impact of the global economic crisis on world crude steel production became apparent), with YTD 2010 crude steel production for the 66 countries at 1281 million tonnes, 4.6% higher than in 2008. However, YTD 2010 crude steel production in the EU and North America was still -15.3% and -14.1% (respectively) less, compared to the same period in 2008 while Asia’s crude steel production was 16.4% higher.
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World Steel Production, Nov. '10
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Region
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% of Nov. '10 Total
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Change vs. Nov. '09
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EU (27)
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12.9%
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+4.1%
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Other EU
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2.5%
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+13.5%
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CIS
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7.9%
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+3.3%
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N. America
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7.9%
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+10.5%
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S. America
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3.2%
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-3.3%
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Africa
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1.3%
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+17.7%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+17.5%
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Asia
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62.4%
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+4.6%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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-3.7%
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World
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--
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+5.1%
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According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countriesin November 2010 remained stable at 75.2% (vs. 75.3% in November 2010).
Compared to November 2009, the utilization ratio in November 2010 slipped by 0.8 percentage points.
Weighing in at 62.4% of total world production for November 2010 (up from 61.7% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 71.24 million tonnes in November, 4.6% higher than in November 2009. South Korea (+16.4%), China (+4.8%) and India (+3.2%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases, while Taiwan (-12.1%) logged the largest percentage decrease vs. November 2009.
Representing 44.0% of world production for November (up from 42.8% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 50.17 million tonnes in November. China’s reported production represents a 4.8% increase compared to November 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 809.31 million tonnes of crude steel, a 12.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India, at +7.4%) continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.69 million tonnes of crude steel in November, up 4.1% from November 2009. Comparing November 2010 to November 2009, crude steel production grew by 28.8% in Sweden, by 27.8% in Hungary, and 22.1% in Belgium, while other countries (U.K., Spain, Czech Republic, and Greece) reported double-digit decreases over the same period.
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.9% of the total reported world production in November 2010, down slightly from 13.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 160.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 26.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most of the countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of U.K. (+1.6%), Bulgaria (+3.5%) and Greece (-9.9%).
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.85 million tonnes in November, an increase of 13.5% compared to November 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+160.5%) and Macedonia (+26.5%), while decreases were reported by Serbia (-12.0%) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (-20.0%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in November 2010, down slightly from 2.6% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 29.92 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Norway continues to report a double-digit decrease vs. the previous YTD total.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.02 million tonnes in November, reflecting a 3.3% increase compared to November 2009 (vs. a 4.5% year-on-year increase the previous month). While Byelorussia (+20.6%) and Uzbekistan (+17.6%) reported the largest increase vs. November 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in November 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 98.65 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Moldova continues to report a YTD decrease vs. the previous year.
North American production totaled 9.01 million tonnes in November, a 10.5% increase in comparison to November 2009. Comparing November 2010 to November 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Guatemala (+14.2%) and the U.S. (+13.0%), while double-digit decreases were recorded in Cuba (-32.9%) and El Salvador (-21.9%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in November 2010, down slightly from 8.0% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 102.31 million tonnes of crude steel, a 37.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Although most countries in the region are reporting double-digit increases vs. the previous year, exceptions include Cuba (+2.5%) and El Salvador (-2.9%).
South American production for November 2010 totaled 3.63 million tonnes, a 3.3% decrease compared to November 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+95.1%), Uruguay (+34.6%), Columbia (+25.0%), and Paraguay (+22.0%), while the most significant decrease was recorded in Venezuela (-37.1%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.2% of the total reported world production in November 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 40.32 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region are reporting double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while several others report double-digit losses (Chile and Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.45 million tonnes in November 2010, a 17.7% increase compared to November 2009. Comparing November 2010 to November 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+392%), Morocco (+47.8%), Libya (+26.1%), and Egypt (+25.7%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in November 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 15.40 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some of the countries in this region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while Libya is reporting a 12.1% decrease.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.59 million tonnes in November 2010, a 17.5% increase compared to November 2009. Comparing November 2010 to November 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Iran (+22.9%), Qatar (+9.0%) and Saudi Arabia (+8.6%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in November 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 17.32 million tonnes of crude steel, a 10.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.65 million tonnes in November 2010, a 3.7% decrease compared to November 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in November 2010.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 7.46 million tonnes of crude steel, a 39.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for November 2010 decreased 2.8% compared to the previous month, October 2010, and increased by 5.1% compared to November 2009. Year to date production, at 1280.79 million tonnes, reflects a 16.2% 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.
