November World Crude Steel Production Slips from Previous Month
12/21/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 115.51 million tonnes for November 2011, 6.8% lower than the 123.98 million tonnes reported for the previous month (October 2011) and 1.1% higher in comparison with November 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 115.51 million tonnes for November 2011, 6.8% lower than the 123.98 million tonnes reported for the previous month (October 2011) and 1.1% higher in comparison with November 2010.
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World Steel Production, Nov. '11
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Region
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% of Nov. '11 Total
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Change vs. Nov. '10
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EU (27)
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12.3%
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-2.1%
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Other EU
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2.7%
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+12.8%
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CIS
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7.9%
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-3.2%
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N. America
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8.6%
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+12.2%
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S. America
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3.4%
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+5.5%
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Africa
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0.9%
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-20.8%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+1.2%
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Asia
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62.4%
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+1.1%
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Oceania
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0.4%
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-32.8%
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World
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--
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+1.1%
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China logged a 0.2% year-on-year decrease for November, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 2.2% vs. November 2010.
Year-on-year changes (November 2011 vs. November 2010) for the major world regions included a range of single- and double-digit increases as well as a number of decreases (Africa, -20.8%; Oceania, -32.8%; CIS -3.2%; and EU(27), -2.1).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countries fell 2.8 percentage points to 73.4% in November, the lowest point for two years. Compared to November 2010, the utilization ratio in November 2011 decreased by 2.6 percentage points.
November Production by Region — Weighing in at 62.4% of total world production for November 2011 (down from 62.9% the previous month), production in Asiastood at 72.10 million tonnes in November, 1.1% higher than in November 2010. South Korea (+12.4%) and India (+8.9%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. November 2010.
Representing 43.2% of world production for November (down from 44.1% the previous month), China’s production was 49.88 million tonnes in November, representing an 8.8% decrease compared to the previous month, and a 0.2% decrease vs. November 2010. Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 62.4% of the total reported world production in November 2011, down from 62.9% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 879.26 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. The countries in this region logged single- or double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Japan (-1.2%).
EU(27) — The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.24 million tonnes of crude steel in November, down 2.1% from November 2010. Comparing November 2011 to November 2010, crude steel production fell most significantly in Luxembourg (-30.0%), Sweden (-18.8%), Belgium (-16.6) and Austria (-14.7%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.3% of the total reported world production in November 2011, unchanged from October.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 164.96 million tonnes of crude steel, a 3.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While many EU(27) countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Slovakia (-5.7%), Spain (-4.3%), U.K. (-2.9%), Luxembourg (-0.9%), Finland (-0.8%) and Romania (-0.3%).
Other Europe — Production in Other Europe totaled 3.09 million tonnes in November, an increase of 12.8% compared to November 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina (+40.1%), Norway (+19.5%) and Turkey (+12.8%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.7% of the total reported world production in November 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 33.83 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
CIS — Production in the countries of the CIStotaled 9.14 million tonnes in November, reflecting a 3.2% decrease compared to November 2010. Uzbekistan (+7.7%) reported the largest increase vs. November 2010, while Byelorussia (-12.1%), Kazakhstan (-8.2%) and Russia (-4.6%) reported the largest decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in November 2011, up slightly from 7.8% the previous month.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 103.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in the region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
North America — Production in North America totaled 9.89 million tonnes in November, a 12.2% increase in comparison to November 2010. Comparing November 2011 to November 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Guatemala (+60.0%), Mexico (+18.2%), El Salvador (+14.3%) and the United States (+11.8%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.6% of the total reported world production in November 2011, up from 8.1% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 108.88 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
South America — November production in South America totaled 3.88 million tonnes, a 5.5% increase compared to November 2010. Comparing November 2011 to November 2010, the region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Uruguay (+66.7%), Venezuela (+21.6%), and Ecuador (+25.0%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.4% of the total reported world production in November 2011, up slightly from 3.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 44.80 million tonnes of crude steel, a 10.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a significant loss was reported by Paraguay (-50.2%).
Africa — Production in Africa totaled 1.09 million tonnes in November 2011, a 20.8% decrease compared to November 2010. Comparing November 2011 to November 2010, most countries in the region reported decreases, the largest of which were recorded in Libya (-100.0%), Egypt (-21.2%) and South Africa (-13.7%). The African countries contributed 0.9% of the total reported world production in November 2011, down slightly from 1.0% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 12.77 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.4% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt, -1.5%) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Middle East — Production in the Middle East totaled 1.64 million tonnes in November 2011, a 1.2% increase compared to November 2010. Comparing November 2011 to November 2010, an increase was recorded in Saudi Arabia (+9.9%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in November 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 18.60 million tonnes of crude steel, a 7.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Oceania— Production in Oceaniatotaled 0.43 million tonnes in November 2011, a 32.8% decrease compared to November 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in November 2011, down slightly from the previous month.
Total world production for November 2011 decreased 6.8% compared to the previous month, October 2011, and increased by 1.1% compared to November 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 17 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.
