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World Steel Production Continues to Fall through February ‘09

04/30/2009 - World crude steel production fell to 83.85 million tonnes in February, a 3% decrease from the previous month and a 22% decrease from February 2008, according to the latest report from World Steel Association.

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 83.85 million tonnes in February 2009 — 22.0% lower than for the same month of 2008, and 3.0% below the previous month (January 2009).
 
Much of the loss in total production was from countries other than China, with double-digit production cut-backs recorded in all regions other than Asia and the Middle East. In sharp contrast to most other countries, production in China actually increased 4.9% vs. February 2008, despite a 1.9% dip vs. the previous month (January 2009). China’s February production, at 40,422 tonnes, represents approximately 48% of total February world crude steel production.
 
Excluding China’s production, world production fell about 4% vs. the previous month (January 2009), and fell by approximately 37% since February 2008.
World Steel Production, Feb. '09
Region
% of Feb. '09 Total
Change vs. Feb. '08
EU (27)
12.0%
-41.5%
Other EU
2.4%
-25.7%
CIS
8.3%
-32.1%
N. America
6.2%
-53.6%
S. America
2.9%
-36.7%
Africa
1.2%
-29.3%
Middle East
1.6%
2.5%
Asia
65.1%
-7.4%
Oceania
0.4%
-51.1%
World
--
-22.0%
 
Weighing in at 65.1% of total world production for February 2009, production in Asia stood at 54.55 million tonnes in February, 7.8% lower than in February 2008. Representing 48.2% of world production for February, Chinese production was reported at 40,422 million tonnes in February, a 4.9% increase compared to February 2008, but a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous month (January 2009). Japan logged the region’s largest percentage decrease (-44.2%), followed by South Korea (-24.8%).
 
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 10.06 million tonnes of crude steel in February, down a 41.5% from February 2008. Comparing February 2009 to February 2008, crude steel production fell by 74.5% in Belgium, 67.4% in Romania, 59.5% in Bulgaria, and 57.4% in Sweden. None of the countries in this region recorded an increase over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.0% of the total reported world production in February 2009, compared to 11.1% the previous month.
 
Production in Other Europe totaled nearly 1.97 million tonnes in February, a decrease of 25.7% compared to February 2008. The most significant decreases were recorded in Serbia (-58.3%) and Switzerland (40.5%), while Croatia recorded a 59.5% increase. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in February 2009, virtually unchanged from 2.5% for the previous month.
 
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 6.94 million tonnes in February, reflecting a 32.1% decrease compared to February 2008. Moldova reported the largest decrease (-42.3%) over the period, followed by Ukraine (-33.6%), Russia (-32.1%), and Kazakhstan (-31.7%). Altogether, these countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in February 2009, compared to 6.7% the previous month.
 
North American production totaled 5.2 million tonnes in February, a steep 53.5% decrease in comparison to February 2008. Comparing February 2009 to February 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in El Salvador (-68.8%), Trinidad and Tobago (-60.9%), Canada (56.2%), and the United States (-54.2%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 6.2% of the total reported world production in February 2009, down from 6.7% in January.
 
South American production for February 2009 totaled 2.4 million tonnes, a 36.7% decrease compared to February 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Chile (-56.4%), Paraguay (-45.1%), Argentina (-41.8%), and Brazil (-39.0%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 2.9% of the total reported world production in February 2009, up slightly from 2.8% the previous month.
 
Production in Africa totaled 1.03 million tonnes in February 2009, a 29.3% decrease compared to February 2008. Comparing February 2009 to February 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Algeria (-62.2%) and South Africa (-31.7%) over the period. The African countries contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in February 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
 
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.34 million tonnes in February 2009, a 2.5% increase compared to February 2008. Comparing February 2009 to February 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Qatar (-24.0%) andSaudi Arabia (-18.8%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.6% of the total reported world production in February 2009, up slightly from 1.4% the previous month.
 
Production in Oceania totaled 0.34 million tonnes in February 2009, a 51.1% decrease compared to February 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in February 2009, down slightly from 0.6% for the previous month.
 
Total world production for February 2009 increased 3.0% compared to the previous month, January 2009.