World Crude Steel Production Dips Slightly in February 2011
03/22/2011 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to World Steel Association stood at an estimated 117 million tonnes for February 2011, 2.4% lower than the previous month (January 2011) and 8.8% higher in comparison with February 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 117 million tonnes for February 2011, 2.4% lower than the previous month (January 2011) and 8.8% higher in comparison with February 2010.
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World Steel Production, Feb. '11
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Region
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% of Feb. '11 Total
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Change vs. Feb. '10
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EU (27)
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12.4%
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+7.9%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+33.6%
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CIS
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7.3%
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+6.5%
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N. America
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7.7%
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+3.9%
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S. America
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3.2%
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+14.3%
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Africa
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0.9%
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-14.5%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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-1.0%
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Asia
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64.3%
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+9.6%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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+6.2%
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World
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--
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+8.8%
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China logged a 9.7% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 8.1% vs. February 2010. Year-on-year changes (February 2011 vs. February 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as two decreases (Africa, -14.5%, and Middle East, -1.0%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countriesin February 2011 was 82.0%, a slight increase from the updated figure of 80.9% for January 2011. Compared to February 2010, the utilization ratio in February 2011 is 2.7 percentage points higher.
January Production by Region — Weighing in at 64.3% of total world production for February 2011 (up from 63.1% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 74.95 million tonnes in February, 9.6% higher than in February 2010. South Korea (+25.7%), Taiwan (+20.4%), and China (+9.7%) and logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. February 2010.
Representing 46.6% of world production for February (down from 44.2% the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 54.31 million tonnes in February, representing a 2.8% increase compared to the previous month, and a 9.7% increase vs. February 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 157.45 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India (-0.5%) and Japan (+8.2%)) logged double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 64.3% of the total reported world production in February 2011, up from 63.1% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.40 million tonnes of crude steel in February, up 7.9% from February 2010. Comparing February 2011 to February 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in Belgium (+29.7%) and Austria (+22.5%), while Romania (-13.5%) and Greece (-36.0) reported the largest decreases over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 29.10 million tonnes of crude steel, a 7.5% 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 Romania (-18.9%), the UK (-5.2%) and Bulgaria (-1.9%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.4% of the total reported world production in February 2011, up from 11.9% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.74 million tonnes in February, an increase of 33.6% compared to February 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Macedonia (+128.2%) and Turkey (+35.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 5.78 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region all reported double- or triple-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in February 2011, down slightly from 2.5% in the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.46 million tonnes in February, reflecting a 6.5% increase compared to February 2010. While Kazakhstan (+31.1%) reported the largest increase vs. February 2010, Moldova (-100%) and Uzbekistan (1.8%) logged decreases.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 17.82 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.5% 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 7.3% of the total reported world production in February 2011, down slightly from 8.1% the previous month.
North American production totaled 9.00 million tonnes in February, a 7.7% increase in comparison to February 2010. Comparing February 2011 to February 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (+20.7%) and Guatemala (+14.2%), while small decreases were recorded in Canada (-1.4%) and Mexico (-1.1%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 18.84 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.7% of the total reported world production in February 2011, down from 7.9% in the previous month.
South American production for February 2011 totaled 3.73 million tonnes, a 14.3% increase compared to February 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+126.9%) and Venezuela (+67.2%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Uruguay (-100.0%) and Paraguay (-84.1%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 7.52 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.0% 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 (-100.0%), Paraguay (-82.5%) and Peru (-0.5%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.2% of the total reported world production in February 2011, unchanged vs. the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.09 million tonnes in February 2011, a 14.5% decrease compared to February 2010. Comparing February 2011 to February 2010, an increase was recorded in Egypt (+4.3%) while decreases were reported in Libya (-56.1%), Morocco (-49.3%), Algeria (-38.4%) and South Africa (-20.0%).
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 2.32 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.4% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
The African countries contributed 0.9% of the total reported world production in February 2011, down from 1.2% the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.57 million tonnes in February 2011, a 1.0% decrease compared to February 2010. Comparing February 2011 to February 2010, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Iran (+5.0%) while Qatar (-33.3%) and Saudi Arabia (-3.7%) both reported decreases.
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 3.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in February 2011, unchanged from 1.4% the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.63 million tonnes in February 2011, a 6.2% increase compared to February 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in February 2011, down slightly from the previous month.
Total world production for February 2011 decreased 2.4% compared to the previous month, January 2011, and increased by 8.8% compared to February 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.
