World Crude Steel Production up Again in May 2011
06/21/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 129.9 million tonnes for May 2011, 2.3% higher than the previous month (April 2011) and 4.2% higher in comparison with May 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 129.9 million tonnes for May 2011, 2.3% higher than the previous month (April 2011) and 4.2% higher in comparison with May 2010.
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World Steel Production, May '11
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Region
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% of May '11 Total
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Change vs. May '10
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EU (27)
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12.6%
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-1.3%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+13.7%
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CIS
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7.4%
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+0.9%
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N. America
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7.8%
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+1.6%
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S. America
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3.5%
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+22.7%
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Africa
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0.9%
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-19.9%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+3.7%
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Asia
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63.7%
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+5.4%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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-7.1%
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World
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--
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+4.2%
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China logged a 7.8% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 1.2% vs. May 2010. Year-on-year changes (May 2011 vs. May 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as several decrease (Africa, -19.9%; Oceania, -7.1%; and European Union(27), -1.3%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin May 2011 was 81.7%, 0.6 percentage points lower than in April 2011. Compared to May 2010, the utilization ratio is 0.6 percentage points lower.
May Production by Region — Weighing in at 63.7% of total world production for May 2011 (down from 64.0% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 82.69 million tonnes in May, 5.4% higher than in May 2010. South Korea (+12.8%) and China (+7.8%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. May 2010.
Representing 46.4% of world production for April (down slightly from 46.5% the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 60.25 million tonnes in May, representing a 2.1% increase compared to the previous month, and a 7.8% increase vs. May 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 402.42 million tonnes of crude steel, a 7.9% 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 (-0.1%).
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 63.7% of the total reported world production in May 2011, down from 64.0% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 16.32 million tonnes of crude steel in May, down 1.3% from May 2010. Comparing May 2011 to May 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in Finland (+32.1%) and Bulgaria (+24.6%) while the largest decreases were reported by Greece (-30.2%) and Slovakia (-28.4%) over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 77.61 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.0% 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 Greece (-3.7%), Slovakia (-8.5%) and the U.K. (-5.2%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.6% of the total reported world production in May 2011, up from 12.4% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.12 million tonnes in May, an increase of 13.7% compared to May 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Croatia (+99%), Serbia (+43.4%) and Norway (+37.4%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 14.99 million tonnes of crude steel, a 24.0% 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 May 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.64 million tonnes in May, reflecting a 0.9% increase compared to May 2010. While Byelorussia (+11.6%) reported the largest increase vs. May 2010, Moldova (-100%) logged the largest decrease.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 47.28 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.5% 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 Moldova (-100%) and Byelorussia (-2.2%).
Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.4% of the total reported world production in May 2011, down from 7.6% the previous month.
North American production totaled 10.08 million tonnes in May, a 1.6% increase in comparison to May 2010. Comparing May 2011 to May 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Guatemala (+59.8%), El Salvador (+35.1%) and Cuba (+33.7%), while a small decrease was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (-0.7%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 49.05 million tonnes of crude steel, a 5.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported double- or triple-digit increases over the comparable year-ago period, with the exception of Canada (-0.3%).
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in May 2011, up slightly from 7.7% in the previous month.
South American production for May 2011 totaled 4.50 million tonnes, a 22.7% increase compared to May 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Chile (+286.3%) and Venezuela (+216.1%), while the most significant decrease was recorded in Paraguay (-68.2%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 20.36 million tonnes of crude steel, a 16.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, losses were reported by Paraguay (-73.9%) and Peru (-0.3%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.5% of the total reported world production in May 2011, up from 3.2% the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.18 million tonnes in May 2011, a 19.9% decrease compared to May 2010. Comparing May 2011 to May 2010, decreases were recorded in all countries including Libya (-100.0%), Morocco (-56.9%), Algeria (-51.7%), South Africa (-18.2%) and Egypt (-4.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 5.76 million tonnes of crude steel, an 18.0% 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 May 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.71 million tonnes in May 2011, a 3.7% increase compared to May 2010. Comparing May 2011 to May 2010, increases were recorded in Iran (+4.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+5.2%), decreases in Qatar (-4.7%).
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 8.69 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in May 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.64 million tonnes in May 2011, a 7.1% decrease compared to May 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in May 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Total world production for May 2011 increased 2.3% compared to the previous month, April 2011, and increased by 4.2% compared to May 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.
