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World Crude Steel Production Dips 4.4% in June
07/22/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the world steel association stood at an estimated 118.76 million tonnes in June 2010 — a 4.4% decrease from the previous month (May 2010) and an 18.0% increase vs. June 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 118.76 million tonnes in June 2010 — a 4.4% decrease from the previous month (May 2010) and an 18.0% increase vs. June 2009.
While China logged only a 9.0% year-on-year increase, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 26.6% vs. May 2009. Year-on-year increases (June 2010 vs. June 2009) varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first six months of 2010 was 706 million tonnes, 27.9% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that although production in the first half of 2010 increased by 7.2% compared to the same period of 2007 (prior to the impact of the global economic crisis), most of the world still has not recovered to pre-crisis levels. Only Asia (+23.7%) and the Middle East (+25.3%) showed increased crude steel production compared to the first six months of 2007, while crude steel production in the EU, CIS, US and Canada is still more than 15% below 2007 levels.
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries reached 80.6% in June, a decline from 82.0% the previous month (May 2010). Compared to June 2009, the utilization ratio in June 2010 increased by 8.3 percentage points, just over half the year-on-year increase for the previous month (May 2010).
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World Steel Production, June '10
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Region
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% of June '10 Total
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Change vs. June '09
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EU (27)
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12.9%
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+35.7%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+19.3%
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CIS
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7.2%
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+6.8%
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N. America
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8.3%
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+55.2%
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S. America
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3.1%
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+34.4%
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Africa
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1.1%
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+7.3%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+5.0%
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Asia
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63.0%
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+12.3%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+61.1%
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World
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--
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+18.0%
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Weighing in at 63.0% of total world production for June 2010 (virtually unchanged from the previous month), production in Asia stood at 74.79 million tonnes in June, 24.8% higher than in June 2009. Japan (+35.9%), Taiwan (+23.2%) and South Korea (+21.9%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. June 2009.
Representing 45.3% of world production for June, China’s production was reported at 53.77 million tonnes in June. China’s reported production represents a 9.0% increase compared to June 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 447.68 million tonnes of crude steel, a 12.3% 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 2007 levels including Taiwan (-12.4%) and Japan (-8.2%).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.31 million tonnes of crude steel in June, up 35.7% from June 2009. Comparing June 2010 to June 2009, crude steel production grew by 106.6% in Belgium, 104.3%in Sweden, and 100.8% in Romania. Most countries in the region reported double-digit year-on-year increases over the period; exceptions included Bulgaria (-5.1%), the U.K. (-2.3%), and Greece (-0.5%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.9% of the total reported world production in June 2010, down slightly from 13.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 90.00 million tonnes of crude steel, a 44.6% 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 (-2.9%). For most countries in the region, YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.90 million tonnes in June, an increase of 19.3% compared to June 2009. The most significant increase was recorded in Serbia (+246.4%), Croatia (+83.7%) and Macedonia (+70.5%), while Norway reported a 15.1% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.90% of the total reported world production in June 2010, up from 2.3% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 15.55 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region continue to report double-digit decreases vs. the previous YTD total (Macedonia, Norway); YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels for many countries in the region.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.60 million tonnes in June, reflecting a 6.8% increase compared to June 2009 (down from a 25.1% year-on-year increase the previous month). While Byelorussia (+15.1%) and Kazakhstan (+15.7%) reported the largest increases vs. June 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.2% of the total reported world production in June 2010, down from 7.7% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 53.00 million tonnes of crude steel, a 20.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report single-digit 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, Ukraine).
North American production totaled 9.87 million tonnes in June, a 55.2% increase in comparison to June 2009. Comparing June 2010 to June 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Cuba (+90.8%), the U.S. (+65.0%), Canada (+61.3%), and Trinidad and Tobago (+51.4%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in June 2010, up from 7.9% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 56.64 million tonnes of crude steel, a 60.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Although most countries in the region continue to report double- or triple-digit increases vs. the previous year, the YTD total for the region is still 14.0% below pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels, and YTD totals for the larger countries (Canada, the U.S., and Mexico) are also well below YTD2007 levels.
South American production for June 2010 totaled 3.71 million tonnes, a 34.4% increase compared to June 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Peru (+85.2%), Paraguay (+84.2%), and Brazil (+46.8%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Chile (-50.1%) and Venezuela (-30.7%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.1% of the total reported world production in June 2010, up slightly from 3.0% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 21.30 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.2% 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, Paraguay, and Venezuela). Some countries’ YTD totals are significantly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels (Chile, Venezuela, Columbia).
Production in Africa totaled 1.32 million tonnes in June 2010, a 7.3% increase compared to June 2009. Comparing June 2010 to June 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+33.3%) and South Africa (+15.3%), while larger decreases were recorded in Morocco (-73.6%) and Libya (-35.0%). The African countries contributed 1.32% of the total reported world production in June 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 8.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.7% 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 (Libya, Algeria) are reporting double-digit decreases. YTD totals are solidly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2007) levels for all countries in the region.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.58 million tonnes in June 2010, a 5.0% increase compared to June 2009. Comparing June 2010 to June 2009, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Qatar (+32.3%) while a single-digit increase was reported by Iran (+7.2%) and a single-digit loss was reported by Saudi Arabia (-7.4%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in June 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 9.58 million tonnes of crude steel, a 12.0% 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 (YTD2007) levels.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.69 million tonnes in June 2010, a 61.1% increase compared to June 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in June 2009, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 3.97 million tonnes of crude steel, a 72.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for June 2010 decreased 4.4% compared to the previous month, May 2010, and increased by 18.0% compared to June 2009. Year to date production, at 705.82 million tonnes, reflects a 27.9% increase over YTD 2009. While YTD2010 total world production reflects a 7.2% increase over pre-crisis (YTD2007) 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.
