World Crude Steel Continues Upward Trend in August as China Hits New Monthly High
09/22/2009 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 106,489 million tonnes in August 2009 — 2.5% higher than the previous month (July 2009) but still 5.5% lower than August 2008, according to the latest report from the World Steel Association.
Figures released by the World Steel Association (known formerly as the International Iron and Steel Institute) show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 106,489 million tonnes in August 2009 — 2.5% higher than the previous month (July 2009) but still 5.5% lower than August 2008.
While most major regions logged double-digit production losses compared to August 2008, reductions were most severe in North America (-38.7%), the EU(27) (-32.1%), and Oceania (-25.1%), South America (-31.3%), and C.I.S. (-27.1%). Exceptions included the Middle East (+14.9%) and Asia (+10.7%).
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World Steel Production, Aug. '09
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Region
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% of Aug. '09 Total
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Change vs. Aug. '08
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EU (27)
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10.1%
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-32.1%
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Other EU
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2.5%
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-10.0%
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CIS
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7.8%
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-19.0%
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N. America
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6.7%
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-38.7%
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S. America
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3.4%
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-19.9%
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Africa
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1.1%
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-20.6%
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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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66.5%
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+10.7%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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-25.1%
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World
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--
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-5.5%
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Compared to the other regions and their largest countries, production in China was higher (+22.0%) vs. August 2008, on a 3.3% increase vs. the previous month (July 2009). China’s August production, at 52,327 tonnes, represents approximately 49.1% of total August world crude steel production and the highest amount of crude steel China has ever produced in a month. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world fell about 22.4% vs. August 2008, after increasing about 3.3% vs. the previous month (July 2009).
For the year to date, China’s production has reached 369,651 million tonnes, a 5.2% increase vs. YTD 2008. This compares to double-digit year-on-year YTD losses for most world regions including North America (-46.5%), Oceania (-43.4%), EU(27) (-41.0%), South America (-32.4%), C.I.S. (-29.3%), Africa (-21.8%), and Other Europe (-18.8%). Exceptions included Asia (-4.1%) and Middle East (+ 2.2%).
Weighing in at 66.5 % of total world production for August 2009, production in Asia stood at 70.85 million tonnes in August, 10.7% higher than in August 2008. Representing 49.1% of world production for August, Chinese production was reported at 52.33 million tonnes in August, a 22.0% increase compared to August 2008, and a 3.3% increase compared to the previous month (July 2009). Taiwan (-27.6%) and Japan (-18.3%) logged the region’s largest percentage decrease vs. August 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 4999.90 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.1% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 4999.90 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.1% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 10.75 million tonnes of crude steel in August, down 32.1% from August 2008. Comparing August 2009 to August 2008, crude steel production fell by 72.4% in Sweden, 56.9% in Romania, and by 54.1% in Italy, while Greece logged a 68.1% increase. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 10.1% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, EU(27) reported the production of 84.22 million tonnes of crude steel, a 41.0% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.63 million tonnes in August, a decrease of 10.0% compared to August 2008. The most significant decrease was recorded in Croatia(-100%) and Switzerland(-37.0%) while an increase (+28.6%) was reported by Norway. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, Other Europe reported the production of 18.33 million tonnes of crude steel, an 18.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.34 million tonnes in August, reflecting a 19.0% decrease compared to August 2008. Moldova reported the largest decrease (-52.9%) over the period, followed by Russia (-20.8), Kazakhstan (-17.9%) and Ukraine (-17.0%), while Uzbekistan (+27.1%) logged the largest increase. Altogether, these countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, CIS reported the production of 60.81 million tonnes of crude steel, a 29.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
North American production totaled 7.18 million tonnes in August, a 38.7% decrease in comparison to August 2008. Comparing August 2009 to August 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in Canada (-48.6%), the United States (-40.0%), Guatemala (-38.3%), and Trinidad and Tobago (-38.2%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 6.7% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, North America reported the production of 49.66 million tonnes of crude steel, a 46.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
South American production for August 2009 totaled 3.58 million tonnes, a 19.9% decrease compared to August 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Peru (-43.2%), Venezuela (-40.9%), and Paraguay (-40.5%), while the largest increase was reported by Ecuador (+153.2%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.4% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, South America reported the production of 22.65 million tonnes of crude steel, a 32.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.2 million tonnes in August 2009, a 20.6% decrease compared to August 2008. Comparing August 2009 to August 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in South Africa (-32.2%), while the largest increases were logged in Libya (+231.5%) and Algeria (+119.4%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 9.54 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.39 million tonnes in August 2009, a 14.9% increase compared to August 2008. Comparing August 2009 to August 2008, the largest percentage decrease was recorded in Qatar (-37.7%) and the largest percentage increase was recorded in Saudi Arabia (+35.5%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 11.07 million tonnes of crude steel, a 1.5% increase vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.57 million tonnes in August 2009, a 25.1% decrease compared to August 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in August 2009.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 3.32 million tonnes of crude steel, a 43.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Total world production for August 2009 increased 2.5% compared to the previous month, July 2009.
