World Crude Steel Utilization Dips in July 2011
08/23/2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 127.48 million tonnes for July 2011, 0.2% lower than the previous month (June 2011) and 11.5% higher in comparison with July 2010.
Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting stood at an estimated 127.48 million tonnes for July 2011, 0.2% lower than the 127.75 million tonnes reported for the previous month (June 2011) and 11.5% higher in comparison with July 2010.
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World Steel Production, July '11
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Region
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% of July '11 Total
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Change vs. July '10
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EU (27)
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11.4%
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+5.9%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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+18.2%
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CIS
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7.4%
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+9.7%
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N. America
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8.3%
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+11.1%
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S. America
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3.4%
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+12.0%
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Africa
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0.9%
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-7.3%
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Middle East
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1.2%
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+22.3%
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Asia
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64.5%
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+13.0%
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Oceania
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0.4%
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-23.8%
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World
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--
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+11.5%
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China logged a 15.5% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 8.2% vs. July 2010. Year-on-year changes (July 2011 vs. July 2010) for the major world regions included a range of increases as well as several decreases (Africa, -7.3%; Oceania, -23.8%).
According to the Association, world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 64 countriesin July 2011 was 79.7%, 3.4 percentage points lower than in June 2011. Compared to July 2010, the utilization ratio increased by 4.9 percentage points.
July Production by Region — Weighing in at 64.5% of total world production for July 2011 (up from 64.2% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 82.19 million tonnes in July, 13.0% higher than in July 2010. South Korea (+21.7%) and China (+15.5%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. July 2010.
Representing 46.9% of world production for July (unchanged from the previous month), China’s production was estimated at 59.30 million tonnes in July, representing a 1.1% decrease compared to the previous month, and a 15.5% increase vs. July 2010.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 568.33 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.3% 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 (-1.0%).
Altogether, the countries in Asia contributed 64.5% of the total reported world production in July 2011, up from 64.2% the previous month.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 14.58 million tonnes of crude steel in July, up 5.9% from July 2010. Comparing July 2011 to July 2010, crude steel production grew significantly in Bulgaria (+56.3%), Greece (+55.0%) and Slovakia (+27.2%) while the largest decreases were reported by Finland (-21.3%) over the same period.
For the year to date, the countries of the EU(27) reported the production of 108.01 million tonnes of crude steel, a 4.3% 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 France (-2.1%), Romania (-0.6%), Slovakia (-4.7%), and Spain (-0.9%).
Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 11.4% of the total reported world production in July 2011, down from 12.3% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 3.07 million tonnes in July, an increase of 18.2% compared to July 2010. The most significant increases were recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina (+34.3%) and Turkey (+19.3%) while the largest decrease was logged by Norway (-11.8%).
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 21.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.2% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported double-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 July 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.45 million tonnes in July, reflecting a 9.7% increase compared to July 2010. Kazakhstan (+18.5%) and the Ukraine (+10.3%) reported the largest increase vs. July 2010.
For the year to date, the CIS countries reported the production of 66.11 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Moldova (-59.2%).
Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.4% of the total reported world production in July 2011, up slightly from 7.3% the previous month.
North American production totaled 10.54 million tonnes in July, an 11.1% increase in comparison to July 2010. Comparing July 2011 to July 2010, the largest percentage increases were recorded in El Salvador (+149.2%), Guatemala (+59.8%), and Mexico (+26.4%), while a decrease was recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (-8.5%) and Canada (-1.5%).
For the year to date, the countries of North America reported the production of 69.86 million tonnes of crude steel, a 6.4% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in this region reported single- or double-digit YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in July 2011, up from 7.9% in the previous month.
South American production for July 2011 totaled 4.30 million tonnes, a 12.0% increase compared to July 2010. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Chile (+92.3%), Venezuela (+39.3%), and Uruguay (+29.0%) while the most significant decrease was recorded in Paraguay (-28.3%).
For the year to date, the countries of South America reported the production of 28.75 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. While most countries reported YTD increases over the comparable year-ago period, a loss was reported by Paraguay (-64.9%).
Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.4% of the total reported world production in July 2011, up from 3.2% the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.21 million tonnes in July 2011, a 7.3% decrease compared to July 2010. Comparing July 2011 to July 2010, the largest decreases were recorded in Libya (-100.0%) and Algeria (-40.5%) while Morocco (+200.4%) logged the largest increase.
For the year to date, the countries of Africa reported the production of 8.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 15.7% decrease vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region (other than Egypt, +2.2%) reported double-digit decreases vs. the comparable year-ago period.
The African countries contributed 0.9% of the total reported world production in July 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.59 million tonnes in July 2011, a 22.3% increase compared to July 2010. Comparing July 2011 to July 2010, increases were recorded in Iran (+26.6%), Saudi Arabia (+18.4%) and Qatar (+6.3%).
For the year to date, the countries of the Middle East reported the production of 11.94 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.8% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in July 2011, down slightly from 1.3% the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.56 million tonnes in July 2011, a 23.8% decrease compared to July 2010. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in July 2011, unchanged from the previous month.
Total world production for July 2011 decreased 0.2% compared to the previous month, June 2011, and increased by 11.5% compared to July 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.
