World Crude Steel Production Dips 3.3% in July, Beats Year-Earlier Total
08/23/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the world steel association stood at an estimated 114.79 million tonnes in July 2010 — a 3.3% decrease from the previous month (June 2010) and an 9.6% increase vs. July 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 114.79 million tonnes in July 2010 — a 3.3% decrease from the previous month (June 2010) and a 9.6% increase vs. July 2009.
While China logged only a 2.2% year-on-year increase, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 16.6% vs. July 2009. Year-on-year increases (July 2010 vs. July 2009) varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first seven months of 2010 was 821 million tonnes, 25.0% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. While all regions showed increased crude steel production during the first seven months of 2010 compared to the first seven months of 2009, several individual countries demonstrated year-on-year decreases, including Venezuela (-66.2%), Chile (-34.2%), Libya (-26.9%),
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World Steel Production, July '10
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Region
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% of July '10 Total
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Change vs. July '09
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EU (27)
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12.1%
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+22.9%
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Other EU
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2.3%
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+3.2%
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CIS
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7.6%
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+4.5%
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N. America
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8.0%
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+32.6%
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S. America
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3.3%
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+10.5%
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Africa
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1.2%
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+12.3%
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Middle East
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1.2%
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+1.9%
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Asia
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63.6%
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+5.7%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+66.3%
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World
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--
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+9.6%
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The World Steel Association noted that although production in July was 2.1% lower than in July 2008 (prior to the impact of the global economic crisis), a number of countries (China, South Korea, and Iran) showed increased production vs. July 2008. However, a number of countries’ July production volumes were still below pre-crisis production levels, including the U.S., Germany, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Japan.
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries declined to 75.1% in July, from 80.4% in June and 82.0% in May. Compared to July 2009, the utilization ratio in July 2010 increased by 2.7 percentage points, well below the year-on-year increase for the previous month (8.3 percentage points for June).
Weighing in at 63.6% of total world production for July 2010 (slightly higher than the previous month), production in Asia stood at 73.05 million tonnes in July, 5.7% higher than in July 2009. Taiwan (+25.9%), Japan (+20.4%), and South Korea (+16.2%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. July 2009.
Representing 45.1% of world production for July, China’s production was reported at 51.74 million tonnes in July. China’s reported production represents only a 2.2% increase compared to July 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 521.88 million tonnes of crude steel, a 20.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year. However, several are reporting YTD totals that are still slightly below 2008 levels including Taiwan (-15.0%) and Japan (-11.5%).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 13.93 million tonnes of crude steel in July, up 22.9% from July 2009. Comparing July 2010 to July 2009, growth in crude steel production was highest for Sweden, followed by Belgium (+54.0%), Romania (+39.8%), and Italy (+33.4%). Most countries in the region reported double-digit year-on-year increases over the period; exceptions included Luxembourg (-16.3%) and Slovakia (-14.5%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.1% of the total reported world production in July 2010, down slightly from 12.9% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 103.72 million tonnes of crude steel, a 41.0% 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 (-2.4%). For most countries in the region, YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.64 million tonnes in July, an increase of 3.2% compared to July 2009. The most significant increase was recorded in Croatia (+539.7%), Macedonia (+51.2%) and Serbia (+23.4%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.3% of the total reported world production in July 2010, down from 2.9% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 18.16 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report decreases vs. the previous YTD total (Norway, Macedonia); YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for most countries in the region.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.70 million tonnes in July, reflecting a 4.5% increase compared to July 2009. While Kazakhstan (+18.4%), Byelorussia (+11.0%) and Russia (+11.5%) reported the largest increases vs. July 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in July 2010, up from 7.2% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 61.67 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report decreases vs. the previous year (Byelorussia and Uzbekistan) while YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels for many countries in the region (Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine).
North American production totaled 9.17 million tonnes in July, a 32.6% increase in comparison to July 2009. Comparing July 2010 to July 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (+71.5%), Canada (+65.6%), and the U.S. (+32.9%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.0% of the total reported world production in July 2010, down from 8.2% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 65.40 million tonnes of crude steel, a 54.7% 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 19.4% below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, and YTD totals for the larger countries (Canada, the U.S., and Mexico) are also well below YTD2008 levels.
South American production for July 2010 totaled 3.76 million tonnes, a 10.5% increase compared to July 2009 (down from a 34.4% year-on-year increase the previous month). The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+50.8%), Peru (+27.8%),and Argentina (+23.1%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Venezuela (-55.8%) and Chile (-58.8%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in July 2010, up slightly from 3.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 24.90 million tonnes of crude steel, a 28.4% 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 and Venezuela). Some countries’ YTD totals are significantly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels (Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.40 million tonnes in July 2010, a 12.3% increase compared to July 2009. Comparing July 2010 to July 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+50.0%) and Egypt (+22.0%), while a larger decrease was recorded in Morocco (-84.2%). The African countries contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in July 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 9.49 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.5% 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 (Algeria, Morocco) continue to report decreases. YTD totals are solidly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for all countries in the region.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.42 million tonnes in July 2010, a 1.9% increase compared to July 2009. Comparing July 2010 to July 2009, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Saudi Arabia (+15.4%) while a single-digit increase was reported by Qatar (+5.9%) and a single-digit loss was reported by Iran (-4.0%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in July 2010, down slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 11.00 million tonnes of crude steel, a 10.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, and all are well ahead of pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.74 million tonnes in July 2010, a 66.3% increase compared to July 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in July 2009, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 4.71 million tonnes of crude steel, a 71.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for July 2010 decreased 3.3% compared to the previous month, June 2010, and increased by 9.6% compared to July 2009. Year to date production, at 820.97 million tonnes, reflects a 25.0% increase over YTD 2009. While YTD2010 total world production reflects a 0.5% 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.
