World Crude Steel Production Dips Slightly in April 2011
05/23/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 127 million tonnes for April 2011, 1.9% lower than the previous month (March 2011) and 5.0% higher in comparison with April 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 127 million tonnes for April 2011, 1.9% lower than the previous month (March 2011) and 5.0% higher in comparison with April 2010.
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World Steel Production, April '11
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Region
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% of April '11 Total
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Change vs. April '10
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EU (27)
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12.1%
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+2.2%
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Other EU
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2.3%
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+17.4%
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CIS
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7.4%
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+2.2%
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N. America
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7.5%
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+2.4%
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S. America
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3.1%
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+17.8%
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Africa
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0.8%
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-22.2%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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-0.2%
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Asia
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62.5%
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+5.8%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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+10.4%
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World
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--
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+5.0%
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China logged a 7.1% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 3.2% vs. April 2010. Year-on-year changes (April 2011 vs. April 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as two decrease (Africa, -22.2%; Middle East, -0.2%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin April 2011 was 82.8%, 0.9 percentage points higher than on March 2011. Compared to April 2010, the utilization ratio remained unchanged.
March Production by Region — Weighing in at 62.5% of total world production for April 2011 (down from 63.7% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 81.20 million tonnes in April, 5.8% higher than in April 2010. South Korea (+15.9%), China (+7.1%) and India (+5.5%), and logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. April 2010.
Representing 45.4% of world production for April (down from 45.9% the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 59.03 million tonnes in April, representing a 0.6% decrease compared to the previous month, and a 7.1% increase vs. April 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 319.47 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. The countries in this region logged single- or low double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 62.5% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down from 63.7% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.77 million tonnes of crude steel in April, up 2.2% from April 2010. Comparing April 2011 to April 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in the Finland (+39.4%), Netherlands (+33.9%) and Greece (+28.8%), while Slovakia (-18.7%) and Bulgaria (-11.9%) reported the largest decreases over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 61.42 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by the UK (-5.2%), Slovakia (-2.8%) and Spain (-0.2%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.1% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down from 12.6% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.04 million tonnes in April, an increase of 17.4% compared to April 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+225%) and Serbia (+158.1%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 11.87 million tonnes of crude steel, a 27.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in this region all reported double- or triple-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.3% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from 2.4% in the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.60 million tonnes in April, reflecting a 2.2% increase compared to April 2010. While Kazakhstan (+13.3%) reported the largest increase vs. April 2010, Moldova (-100%) logged the largest decrease.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 37.98 million tonnes of crude steel, a 7.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Moldova (-100%).
Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.4% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down from 7.7% the previous month.
North American production totaled 9.78 million tonnes in April, a 2.4% increase in comparison to April 2010. Comparing April 2011 to April 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Guatemala (+37.0%) and El Salvador (+35.2%), while decreases were recorded in Cuba (-4.7%) and Canada (-2.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 38.88 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region (other than Canada) reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.5% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from 7.6% in the previous month.
South American production for April 2011 totaled 4.08 million tonnes, a 17.8% increase compared to April 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Venezuela (+192.7%) and Peru (+16.6%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Uruguay (-19.2%) and Paraguay (-82.8%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 15.77 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Uruguay (-17.7%) and Paraguay (-83.6%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.1% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from 3.2% the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.10 million tonnes in April 2011, a 22.2% decrease compared to April 2010. Comparing April 2011 to April 2010, decreases were recorded in all countries including Libya (-100.0%), Algeria (-92.4%), Morocco (-51.7%), South Africa (-21.8%) and Egypt (-0.8%).
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 4.58 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.5% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
The African countries contributed 0.8% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.66 million tonnes in April 2011, a 0.2% decrease compared to April 2010. Comparing April 2011 to April 2010, the increases were recorded in Iran (+1.7%), decreases in Saudi Arabia (-4.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 6.92 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from 1.4% the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.71 million tonnes in April 2011, a 10.4% increase compared to April 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in April 2011, down slightly from the previous month.
Total world production for April 2011 decreased 1.9% compared to the previous month, March 2011, and increased by 5.0% compared to April 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 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.
