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World Crude Steel Production up 4.2% in August
09/22/2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 112.87 million tonnes in August 2010 — a 1.7% decrease from the previous month (July 2010) and a 4.2% increase vs. August 2009.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 112.76 million tonnes in August 2010 — a 1.7% decrease from the previous month (July 2010) and an 4.2% increase vs. August 2009.
While China logged a 1.1% year-on-year decrease, production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 9.1% vs. August 2009. Year-on-year increases (August 2010 vs. August 2009) varied widely throughout all regions.
World crude steel production in the first eight months of 2010 was 932 million tonnes, 21.9% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the first eight months of 2010 compared to the first eight months of 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that although world crude steel production in August 2010 was almost at the same level as August 2008 (before the impact of the global economic crisis was felt), nearly all countries are still not yet back to pre-crisis production levels. Exceptions include China (+20.4% vs. Aug. 2008) and India (+12.9%) as well as Iran (+28.9%), Saudi Arabia (+32.7%), and Morocco (+20.0%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in August 2010 continued to decline to a year low of 73.1%, down from 74.4% for the previous month (July 2010). Compared to August 2009, the utilization ratio in August 2010 decreased by 1.1 percentage point.
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World Steel Production, Aug. '10
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Region
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% of Aug. '10 Total
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Change vs. Aug '09
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EU (27)
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10.8%
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+15.4%
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Other EU
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2.5%
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+8.5%
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CIS
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7.7%
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-6.1%
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N. America
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8.3%
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+24.9%
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S. America
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3.3%
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+1.6%
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Africa
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1.3%
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+10.4%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+5.6%
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Asia
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64.1%
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+1.3%
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Oceania
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0.7%
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+29.8%
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World
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--
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+4.2%
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Weighing in at 64.1% of total world production for August 2010 (up from 63.0% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 72.32 million tonnes in August, 1.3% higher than in August 2009. Taiwan (+25.3%), Japan (+7.1%), India (+6.4%) and South Korea (+6.4%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. August 2009.
Representing 45.7% of world production for August (up from 453% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 51.64 million tonnes in August. China’s reported production represents a 1.1% decrease compared to August 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 592.71 million tonnes of crude steel, a 17.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than India, at +8.3%) continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year. However, several are reporting YTD totals that are still slightly below 2008 levels including Taiwan (-14.2%) and Japan (-11.6%).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 12.14 million tonnes of crude steel in August, up 15.4% from August 2009. Comparing August 2010 to August 2009, crude steel production grew by 210.8% in Sweden, 45.4% in Italy, 44.4% in Austria, and 43.4% in Romania.
Countries in the region reported a mix of single- and double-digit year-on-year increases over the period; exceptions included Bulgaria (-10.0%), Czech Republic (-10.5%), and the U.K. (-3.1%). Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 10.8% of the total reported world production in August 2010, down from 12.9% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 115.63 million tonnes of crude steel, a 37.5% 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 (-11.5%). 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 2.84 million tonnes in August, an increase of 8.5% compared to August 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+120.2%) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (+49.3%), while Serbia reported a 46.4% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up from 2.3% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 21.01 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.5% 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 August, reflecting a 6.1% decrease compared to August 2009 (down from a 4.5% year-on-year increase the previous month). While Kazakhstan (+18.6%) reported the largest increase vs. August 2009, other countries reported smaller increases or decreases. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.7% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up slightly from 7.6% of the previous month’s total.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 70.41 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region continue to report single-digit decreases vs. the previous year (Byelorussia and Moldova) 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 9.35 million tonnes in August, a 24.9% increase in comparison to August 2009. Comparing August 2010 to August 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (+40.0%), Canada (+36.4%), Mexico (+24.4%) and the U.S. (+23.7%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up from 8.0% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 74.83 million tonnes of crude steel, a 50.3% 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 19.4% below pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels, and YTD totals for the larger countries (Canada, the U.S., and Mexico) are also well below YTD2008 levels.
South American production for August 2010 totaled 3.75 million tonnes, a 1.69% increase compared to August 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Argentina (+27.5%), Ecuador (+17.6%) and Paraguay (+13.2%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Chile (-62.9%) and Venezuela (-60.4%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.3% of the total reported world production in August 2010, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 28.55 million tonnes of crude steel, a 23.7% 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). Some countries’ YTD totals are significantly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels (Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela).
Production in Africa totaled 1.46 million tonnes in August 2010, a 10.4% increase compared to August 2009. Comparing August 2010 to August 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Libya (+70.4%), Algeria (+50.0%) and Morocco (+25.0%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 10.95 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.1% 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 solidly lower than pre-crisis (YTD2008) levels for nearly all countries in the region.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.56 million tonnes in August 2010, a 5.6% increase compared to August 2009. Comparing August 2010 to August 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Qatar (+9.9%) and Iran (+8.9%) while a single-digit decrease was reported by Saudi Arabia (-2.1%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up from 1.2% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 12.44 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.9% 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 0.74 million tonnes in August 2010, a 29.8% increase compared to August 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.7% of the total reported world production in August 2010, up slightly from the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 5.45 million tonnes of crude steel, a 64.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for August 2010 decreased 1.7% compared to the previous month, July 2010, and increased by 4.2% compared to August 2009. Year to date production, at 931.98 million tonnes, reflects a 21.9% increase over YTD 2009. While YTD2010 total world production reflects a 0.2% 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.
