World Crude Steel Production Continues to Climb through October
11/22/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 117.56 million tonnes in October 2010 — a 5.2% increase from the previous month (September 2010) and a 2.4% increase vs. October 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 117.56 million tonnes in October 2010 — a 5.2% increase from the previous month (September 2010) and an 2.4% increase vs. October 2009.
While China logged a 3.8% year-on-year decrease, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 7.7% vs. October 2009. Year-on-year increases (October 2010 vs. October 2009) varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first ten months of 2010 was 1165 million tonnes, 17.5% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the ten nine months of 2010 compared to the ten nine months of 2009, although several countries did report year-on-year decreases.
World crude steel production in October 2010 is 18.5% higher than in October 2008 (when the impact of the global economic crisis on world crude steel production became clearer), with YTD 2010 crude steel production for the 66 countries at 1165 million tonnes, 2.4% higher than in 2008. However, YTD 2010 crude steel production in the EU and North America was still -17.4% and -16.8% (respectively) less, compared to the same period in 2008 while Asia’s crude steel production was 14.7% higher.
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World Steel Production, Oct. '10
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Region
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% of Oct. '10 Total
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Change vs. Oct. '09
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EU (27)
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13.1%
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+4.4%
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Other EU
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2.6%
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+14.4%
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CIS
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7.9%
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+4.5%
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N. America
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8.0%
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+11.5%
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S. America
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3.4%
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+2.9%
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Africa
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1.3%
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+17.3%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+19.5%
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Asia
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61.7%
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-0.3%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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-0.3%
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World
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--
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+0.6%
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According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in October 2010 continued to rebound to 75.4% (from 74.8% in September 2010). Compared to October 2009, the utilization ratio in October 2010 decreased by 2.7 percentage points.
Weighing in at 61.7% of total world production for October 2010 (virtually unchanged from 61.8% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 72.49 million tonnes in October, 0.3% lower than in October 2009. South Korea (+11.4%), India (+8.8%) and Japan (+8.0%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. October 2009.
Representing 42.8% of world production for October (virtually unchanged from 42.9% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 50.30 million tonnes in October. China’s reported production represents a 3.8% decrease compared to October 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 736.01 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India, at +7.8%) continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year. However, several are reporting YTD totals that are still slightly below YTD 2008 levels including Taiwan (-5.1%) and Japan (-10.7%).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.44 million tonnes of crude steel in October, up 4.4% from October 2009. Comparing October 2010 to October 2009, crude steel production grew by 40.7% in Slovenia, 38.6% in Sweden, 20.1% in the Netherlands and 19.2%in Romania, while other countries (Spain, U.K.) reported double-digit decreases over the same period.
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 13.1% of the total reported world production in October 2010, up slightly from 12.8% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 145.46 million tonnes of crude steel, a 29.1% 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. (+4.7%), Bulgaria (+2.9%) and Greece (-8.4%). For most countries in the region, YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, and the entire region is still 17.4% below YTD2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.09 million tonnes in October, an increase of 14.4% compared to October 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+158.1%) and Macedonia (+20.6%), while decreases were reported by Serbia (-26.7%) and Norway (-20.2%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.6% of the total reported world production in October 2010, unchanged from 2.6% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 27.08 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Norway continues to report a double-digit decrease vs. the previous YTD total, and YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for many countries in the region.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.32 million tonnes in October, reflecting a 4.5% increase compared to October 2009 (vs. a 1.5% year-on-year decrease the previous month). While Byelorussia (+28.5%) reported the largest increase vs. October 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in October 2010, up slightly from 7.8% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 89.64 million tonnes of crude steel, a 12.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Moldova continues to report a YTD decrease vs. the previous year while YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for most countries in the region (Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine).
North American production totaled 9.37 million tonnes in October, an 11.5% increase in comparison to October 2009. Comparing October 2010 to October 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Canada (+44.1%), Trinidad and Tobago (+15.1%) and Guatemala (+14.2%), while double-digit decreases were recorded in El Salvador (-37.5%) and Cuba (-19.4%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.0% of the total reported world production in October 2010, down from 8.4% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 93.70 million tonnes of crude steel, a 41.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Although most countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, the YTD total for the region is still 16.8% below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, with YTD totals for the larger countries (Canada, the U.S., and Mexico) also well below YTD2008 levels.
South American production for October 2010 totaled 3.99 million tonnes, a 2.9% increase compared to October 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+55.6%), Columbia (+21.8%), and Argentina (+8.7%), while the most significant decrease was recorded in Venezuela (-29.1%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.4% of the total reported world production in October 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 36.74 million tonnes of crude steel, a 20.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region are reporting double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while others report double-digit losses (Chile and Venezuela). A number of countries’ YTD totals are significantly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.49 million tonnes in October 2010, an 11.6% increase compared to October 2009. Comparing October 2010 to October 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+328%), Morocco (+51.9%), Libya (+27.0%), and Egypt (+23.0%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in October 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 13.95 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.4% 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 others (Libya, Morocco) are reporting decreases. YTD totals are still solidly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for more than half of the countries in the region.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.68 million tonnes in October 2010, a 19.5% increase compared to October 2009. Comparing October 2010 to October 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Iran (+29.9%) and Qatar (+19.7%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in October 2010, down from 1.5% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 15.73 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. All countries in the region are well ahead of pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.69 million tonnes in October 2010, a 0.6% decrease compared to October 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in October 2010.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 6.82 million tonnes of crude steel, a 45.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for October 2010 increased 5.2% compared to the previous month, September 2010, and increased by 2.4% compared to October 2009. Year to date production, at 1166.12 million tonnes, reflects a 17.5% increase over YTD 2009. While YTD2010 total world production reflects a 2.4% increase over pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, many countries are still lagging well below pre-crisis levels.
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.
