World Crude Steel Production Slips 1% in September
10/22/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 111.75 million tonnes in September 2010 — a 1.0% decrease from the previous month (August 2010) and an 0.9% increase vs. September 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 111.75 million tonnes in September 2010 — a 1.0% decrease from the previous month (August 2010) and an 0.9% increase vs. September 2009.
While China logged a 5.9% year-on-year decrease, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 6.7% vs. September 2009. Year-on-year increases (September 2010 vs. September 2009) varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first nine months of 2010 was 1046 million tonnes, 19.4% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009, although several countries did report year-on-year decreases.
The World Steel Association noted that although world crude steel production in September 2010 was 3.5% higher than in September 2008 (before the impact of the global economic crisis was felt), a number of countries are still not yet back to pre-crisis production levels. Exceptions include China (+21.7% vs. Sep. 2008) and India (+14.6%) as well as a growing list of other countries in EU27 (Serbia +42.6%, Slovakia +41%, and Luxembourg +13.9%); Other Europe (Bosnia-Herzegovina +27.9%, Macedonia +17.5%, and Turkey +15.7); CIS (Croatia +9.8%, Kazakhstan +6.4%, and Byelorussia +2.7%); North America (Cuba +76.9% and Mexico +2.8%); South America (Ecuador +104.7% and Colombia +40.0%); Africa (Algeria +1028.2%); Middle East (Iran + 24.3% and Qatar +29.0%); and Asia (South Korea +2.3% and Taiwan +2.6%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in September 2010 rebounded slightly to 74.4% compared to 73.3% in August 2010. Compared to September 2009, the utilization ratio in September 2010 decreased by 3.8 percentage points.
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World Steel Production, Sep. '10
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Region
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% of Sep. '10 Total
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Change vs. Sep. '09
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EU (27)
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12.8%
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+3.7%
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Other EU
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2.6%
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+16.2%
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CIS
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7.8%
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-1.5%
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N. America
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8.4%
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+18.3%
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S. America
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3.3%
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-2.6%
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Africa
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1.3%
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+11.6%
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Middle East
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1.5%
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+8.8%
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Asia
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61.8%
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-2.0%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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-0.7%
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World
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--
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+0.9%
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Weighing in at 61.8% of total world production for September 2010 (down from 64.1% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 69.11 million tonnes in September, 2.0% lower than in September 2009. Japan (+11.7%), Taiwan (+9.2%), and India (+6.6%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. September 2009.
Representing 42.9% of world production for September (down from 45.7% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 47.95 million tonnes in September. China’s reported production represents a 5.9% decrease compared to September 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 663.24 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India, at +7.8%) continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year. However, several are reporting YTD totals that are still slightly below YTD 2008 levels including Taiwan (-7.9%) and Japan (-11.3%).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.29 million tonnes of crude steel in September, up 3.7% from September 2009. Comparing September 2010 to September 2009, crude steel production grew by 35.2% in Sweden, 20.5% in Romania, and 19.8% in Italy while other countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary) reported double-digit decreases over the same period.
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.8% of the total reported world production in September 2010, up from 10.8% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 129.99 million tonnes of crude steel, a 32.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most of the other countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, with the exception of Greece (-10.5%). For most countries in the region, YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, and the entire region is still 19% below YTD2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.93 million tonnes in September, an increase of 16.2% compared to September 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+110.7%) and Macedonia (+47.0%), while Norway reported a 13.6% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.6% of the total reported world production in September 2010, up from 2.5% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 23.99 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Norway continues to report a double-digit decrease vs. the previous YTD total, and YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for many countries in the region.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.71 million tonnes in September, reflecting a 1.5% decrease compared to September 2009. While Uzbekistan (+10.2%) reported the largest increase vs. September 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in September 2010, up slightly from 7.7% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 79.12 million tonnes of crude steel, an 11.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report decreases vs. the previous year (Moldova and Uzbekistan) while YTD2010 totals are well below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for many countries in the region (Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine).
North American production totaled 9.34 million tonnes in September, an 18.3% increase in comparison to September 2009. Comparing September 2010 to September 2009, the largest percentage increases was recorded in Canada (+29.3%), Mexico (+28.4%) and the U.S. (+15.0%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.4% of the total reported world production in September 2010, up from 8.3% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 84.34 million tonnes of crude steel, a 46.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Although most countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, the YTD total for the region is still 18.5% below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, with YTD totals for the larger countries (Canada, the U.S., and Mexico) also well below YTD2008 levels.
South American production for September 2010 totaled 3.68 million tonnes, a 2.6% decrease compared to September 2009.
The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Ecuador (+40.6%), Columbia (+26.1%), and Argentina (+15.3%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Chile (-28.8%) and Venezuela (-36.4%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in September 2010, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 32.62 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region are reporting double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while others report double-digit losses (Chile and Venezuela). A number of countries’ YTD totals are significantly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.40 million tonnes in September 2010, an 11.6% increase compared to September 2009. Comparing September 2010 to September 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+100.0%) Libya (+58.9%), and Egypt (+13.1%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in September 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 12.46 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.9% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some of the countries in this region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year, while others (Libya, Morocco) are reporting decreases. YTD totals are still solidly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for nearly all countries in the region.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.62 million tonnes in September 2010, an 8.8% increase compared to September 2009. Comparing September 2010 to September 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Iran (+16.5%) and Qatar (+10.0%) and while a single-digit decrease was reported by Saudi Arabia (-6.6%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.5% of the total reported world production in September 2010, up from 1.4% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 14.06 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.8% 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 (YTD2008) levels.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.67 million tonnes in September 2010, an 0.7% decrease compared to September 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in September 2010.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 6.12 million tonnes of crude steel, a 53.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for September 2010 decreased 1.0% compared to the previous month, August 2010, and increased by 0.9% compared to September 2009. Year to date production, at 1045.94 million tonnes, reflects a 19.4% increase over YTD 2009. While YTD2010 total world production reflects a 0.7% increase over pre-crisis (YTD2008) 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.
