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World Crude Steel Production Dips Slightly in June 2011

Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 127.75 million tonnes for June 2011, 1.6% lower than the 129.87 million tonnes reported for the previous month (May 2011) and 8.0% higher in comparison with June 2010.
 
World Steel Production, June '11
Region
% of June '11 Total
Change vs. June '10
EU (27)
12.3%
+3.9%
Other EU
2.4%
+9.5%
CIS
7.3%
+7.6%
N. America
7.9%
+6.1%
S. America
3.2%
+10.3%
Africa
0.9%
-12.8%
Middle East
1.3%
+5.7%
Asia
64.2%
+9.6%
Oceania
0.4%
-17.0%
World
--
+8.0%
China logged an 11.9% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 4.8% vs. June 2010. Year-on-year changes (June 2011 vs. June 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as several decreases (Africa, -12.8%; Oceania, -17.0%).
 
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin June 2011 was 82.8%, 1.2 percentage points lower than in May 2011. Compared to June 2010, the utilization ratio increased by 2.5 percentage points.
 
June Production by RegionWeighing in at 64.2% of total world production for June 2011 (up from 63.7% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 82.06 million tonnes in June, 9.6% higher than in June 2010. South Korea (+19.0%) and China (+11.9%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. June 2010.
 
Representing 46.9% of world production for June (up from 46.4% the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 59.93 million tonnes in June, representing a 0.5% decrease compared to the previous month, and an 11.9% increase vs. June 2010.
 
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 484.82 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. The countries in this region logged single- or low double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Japan (-0.9%).
 
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 64.2% of the total reported world production in June 2011, up from 63.7% the previous month.
 
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.70 million tonnes of crude steel in June, up 3.9% from June 2010. Comparing June 2011 to June 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in Bulgaria (+50.9%), Luxembourg (+34.3%), and Greece (+30.9%) while the largest decreases were reported by Slovakia (-7.1%) and the Netherlands (-6.0%) over the same period. 
 
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 93.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Slovakia (-8.3%), the U.K. (-3.6%), France (-1.4%) and Spain (-0.8%).
 
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.3% of the total reported world production in June 2011, down from 12.6% the previous month.
 
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.06 million tonnes in June, an increase of 9.5% compared to June 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+189%), Macedonia (+50.8%) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (+25.2%), while the largest decrease was logged by Serbia (-44.7%).
 
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 18.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in this region all reported double- or triple-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
 
Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in June 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
 
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.27 million tonnes in June, reflecting a 7.6% increase compared to June 2010. While the Ukraine (+18.1%) reported the largest increase vs. June 2010, Moldova (-100%) logged the largest decrease.
 
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 56.64 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit YTD 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 June 2011, down slightly from 7.4% the previous month.
 
North American production totaled 10.13 million tonnes in June, a 6.1% increase in comparison to June 2010. Comparing June 2011 to June 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (+107.8%),  Guatemala (+64.4%), and Mexico (+27.9%), while a decrease was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (-6.1%).
 
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 59.18 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.2% 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 7.9% of the total reported world production in June 2011, up slightly from 7.8% in the previous month.
 
South American production for June 2011 totaled 4.10 million tonnes, a 10.3% increase compared to June 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Chile (+121.4%), Venezuela (+77.8%), and Uruguay (+49.4%) while the most significant decrease was recorded in Paraguay (-40.3%).
 
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 24.34 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Paraguay (-66.4%).
 
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.2% of the total reported world production in June 2011, down from 3.5% the previous month.
 
Production in Africa totaled 1.19 million tonnes in June 2011, a 12.8% decrease compared to June 2010. Comparing June 2011 to June 2010, decreases were recorded in Libya (-100.0%) and South Africa (-23.7%) while Morocco (+76.8%) and Algeria (+36.9%) logged increases.
 
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 6.96 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.9% 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 0.9% of the total reported world production in June 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
 
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.67 million tonnes in June 2011, a 5.7% increase compared to June 2010. Comparing June 2011 to June 2010, increases were recorded in Saudi Arabia (+9.8%) and Iran (+5.0%) while Qatar remained unchanged.
 
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 10.36 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
 
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in June 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
 
Production in Oceania totaled 0.57 million tonnes in June 2011, a 17.0% decrease compared to June 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in June 2011, down from 0.5% the previous month.
 
Total world production for June 2011 decreased 1.6% compared to the previous month, May 2011, and increased by 8.0% compared to June 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 18 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.