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World Crude Steel Production Rebounds Slightly in October

11/22/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 123.98 million tonnes for October 2011, 0.3% higher than the 123.57 million tonnes reported for the previous month (September 2011) and 6.2% higher in comparison with October 2010.

Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 123.98 million tonnes for October 2011, 0.3% higher than the 123.57 million tonnes reported for the previous month (September 2011) and 6.2% higher in comparison with October 2010.
 
World Steel Production, Oct. '11
Region
% of Oct. '11 Total
Change vs.  Oct. '10
EU (27)
12.3%
-1.1%
Other EU
2.7%
+10.7%
CIS
7.8%
+4.9%
N. America
8.1%
+10.0%
S. America
3.3%
+1.0%
Africa
1.0%
-12.8%
Middle East
1.4%
+3.9%
Asia
62.9%
+8.1%
Oceania
0.5%
-9.2%
World
--
+6.2%
China logged a 9.7% year-on-year increase for October, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 3.7% vs. October 2010. Year-on-year changes (October 2011 vs. October 2010) for the major world regions included a range of single- and double-digit increases as well as several decreases (Africa, -12.8%; Oceania, -9.2%; EU(27), -1.1).
 
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countries fell 2.2 percentage points to 76.5% in October. This was the lowest point of the year to date. Compared to October 2010, the utilization ratio in October 2011 increased by 1.0 percentage points.
 
October Production by Region — Weighing in at 62.9% of total world production for October 2011 (down from 63.8% the previous month), production in Asiastood at 78.04 million tonnes in October, 8.1% higher than in October 2010. South Korea (+17.8%), China (+9.7%) and India (+4.5%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. October 2010.
 
Representing 44.1% of world production for October (down from 45.9% the previous month), China’s production was 54.67 million tonnes in October, representing a 3.6% decrease compared to the previous month, and a 9.7% increase vs. October 2010. Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 62.9% of the total reported world production in October 2011, down from 63.8% the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 806.67 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. The countries in this region logged single- or double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Japan (-1.0%).
 
EU(27) — The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.27 million tonnes of crude steel in October, down 1.1% from October 2010. Comparing October 2011 to October 2010, crude steel production fell most significantly in Finland (-14.9%), Belgium (-14.5%), Czech Republic (-12.4) and Sweden (-10.4%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.3% of the total reported world production in October 2011, up slightly from 12.1% in September.
 
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 150.78 million tonnes of crude steel, a 3.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While many EU(27) countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Slovakia (-6.1%), Spain (-3.7%), U.K. (-2.3%), Other EU (-1.5%), Finland (-1.3%) and Romania (-0.2%).
 
Other Europe — Production in Other Europe totaled 3.33 million tonnes in October, an increase of 10.7% compared to October 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Norway (+31.3%) and Turkey (+12.3%) while the largest decreases were logged by Serbia (-18.9%), Bosnia-Herzegovina (-14.4%) and Croatia (-9.5%). Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.7% of the total reported world production in October 2011, up slightly from 2.6% the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 30.74 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
 
CIS — Production in the countries of the CIStotaled 9.69 million tonnes in October, reflecting a 4.9% increase compared to October 2010. Uzbekistan (+11.1%) reported the largest increase vs. October 2010. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in October 2011, from 7.5% the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 94.14 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in the region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
 
North America — Production in North America totaled 10.01 million tonnes in October, a 10.0% increase in comparison to October 2010. Comparing October 2011 to October 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Guatemala (+87.5%), Cuba (+42.9%), El Salvador (+42.9%), and Trinidad and Tobago (+38.9%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.1% of the total reported world production in October 2011, up slightly from 8.0% in the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 99.09 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period with the exception of Canada (-0.9%).
 
South America — October production in South America totaled 4.09 million tonnes, a 1.0% increase compared to October 2010. Comparing October 2011 to October 2010, the region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Uruguay (+66.7%), Ecuador (+57.1%), and Paraguay (+25.0%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in October 2011, up slightly from 3.2% the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 41.00 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a significant loss was reported by Paraguay (-53.0%).
 
Africa — Production in Africa totaled 1.21 million tonnes in October 2011, a 12.8% decrease compared to October 2010. Comparing October 2011 to October 2010, most countries in the region reported decreases, the largest of which were recorded in Libya (-100.0%), Morocco (-55.2%) and Algeria (-33.4%). The African countries contributed 1.0% of the total reported world production in October 2011, up slightly from 0.9% the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 11.68 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.8% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt, +0.7%) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
 
Middle East — Production in the Middle East totaled 1.72 million tonnes in October 2011, a 3.9% increase compared to October 2010. Comparing October 2011 to October 2010, increases were recorded in Iran (+3.9%) and Saudi Arabia (+5.3%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in October 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
 
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 17.00 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
 
Oceania— Production in Oceaniatotaled 0.63 million tonnes in October 2011, a 9.2% decrease compared to October 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in October 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
 
Total world production for October 2011 increased 0.3% compared to the previous month, September 2011, and increased by 6.2% compared to October 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 17 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.