World Crude Steel Production Still Down 16% Through YTD September 2009
10/26/2009 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 107,030 million tonnes in September 2009 — 0.5% higher than the previous month (August 2009) but still 0.6% lower than September 2008.
Figures released by the World Steel Association (known formerly as the International Iron and Steel Institute) show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 107,030 million tonnes in September 2009 — 0.5% higher than the previous month (August 2009) but still 0.6% lower than September 2008.
Comparing September production to September 2008 production, many major regions continued to log double-digit production losses, including North America (-32.3%), the EU(27) (-23.7%), Africa (-19.6%), and South America (-15.4%), C.I.S. (-13.2%) and Oceania (-6.6%). Regions that recorded production increases compared to September 2008 included Asia (+14.9%), the Middle East (+1.9%) and Other Europe (+0.8%).
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World Steel Production, Sep. '09
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Region
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% of Sep. '09 Total
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Change vs. Sep. '08
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EU (27)
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12.3%
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-23.7%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+0.8%
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CIS
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7.6%
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-13.2%
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N. America
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6.7%
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-32.3%
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S. America
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3.3%
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-15.4%
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Africa
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1.1%
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-19.6%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+1.9%
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Asia
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64.7%
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+14.9%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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-6.6%
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World
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--
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-0.6%
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Compared to the other regions and their largest countries, production in China was higher (+28.7%) vs. September 2008, following a 22.0% year-on-year increase the previous month (August 2009). China’s September production, at 50,711 tonnes, represents approximately 49.1% of total September world crude steel production. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world fell about 17.6% vs. September 2008.
For the year to date, China’s production has reached 420,401 million tonnes, a 7.5% increase vs. YTD 2008. This compares to double-digit year-on-year YTD losses for most world regions including North America (-45.1%), Oceania (-39.4%), EU(27) (-39.3%), South America (-30.3%), C.I.S. (-27.7%), Africa (-21.5%), and Other Europe (-16.8%). A small year-on-year YTD decrease was also recorded for all of Asia (-2.2%), while a small year-on-year YTD increase was recorded in the Middle East (+ 2.2%).
Weighing in at 64.7 % of total world production for September 2009, production in Asia stood at 69.24 million tonnes in September, 14.9% higher than in September 2008. Representing 47.4% of world production for September, Chinese production was reported at 50.71 million tonnes in September, a 28.7% increase compared to September 2008, but a 3.1% decrease compared to the previous month (August 2009). Taiwan (-24.9%) and Japan (-18.0%) logged the region’s largest percentage decrease vs. September 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 5688 million tonnes of crude steel, a 2.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 5688 million tonnes of crude steel, a 2.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 13.17 million tonnes of crude steel in September, down 23.7% from September 2008. Comparing September 2009 to September 2008, crude steel production fell by 62.4% in Romania, by 42.8% in Belgium, and by 41.4% in Bulgaria. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.3% of the total reported world production in September 2009, down from 10.1% the previous month.
For the year to date, EU(27) reported the production of 97.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 39.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.55 million tonnes in September, an increase of 0.8% compared to September 2008. The most significant decrease was recorded in Croatia(-100%) while increases were reported by Serbia (+75.4%) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (-30.2%). Altogether, these countries contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, Other Europe reported the production of 20.87 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.09 million tonnes in September, reflecting a 13.2% decrease compared to September 2008. Moldova reported the largest decrease (-32.2%) over the period, followed by Kazakhstan (-20.5%) and Russia (-20.3), while Uzbekistan (+29.3%) logged the largest increase. Altogether, these countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, CIS reported the production of 68.89 million tonnes of crude steel, a 27.7% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
North American production totaled 7.20 million tonnes in September, a 32.3% decrease in comparison to September 2008. Comparing September 2009 to September 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in Canada (-53.0%), Guatemala (-34.6%), the United States (-31.4%), and Mexico (-18.5%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 6.7% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, North America reported the production of 56.88 million tonnes of crude steel, a 45.1% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
South American production for September 2009 totaled 3.55 million tonnes, a 15.4% decrease compared to September 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Uruguay (-41.2%), Peru (-32.8%), and Venezuela (-30.2%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, South America reported the production of 26.27 million tonnes of crude steel, a 30.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.15 million tonnes in September 2009, a 19.6% decrease compared to September 2008. Comparing September 2009 to September 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Libya (-46.0%) and South Africa (-24.3%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 10.69 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.41 million tonnes in September 2009, a 1.9% increase compared to September 2008. Comparing September 2009 to September 2008, the largest percentage decrease was recorded in Qatar (-31.5%) and the largest percentage increase was recorded in Saudi Arabia (+7.6%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 12.48 million tonnes of crude steel, a 1.4% increase vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.68 million tonnes in September 2009, a 6.6% decrease compared to September 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in September 2009.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 3.99 million tonnes of crude steel, a 39.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Total world production for September 2009 increased 0.5% compared to the previous month, August 2009. World production for the year to date reached 866.04 million tonnes through September, a 16.4% decrease compared to YTD 2008.
