World Steel Production Dips Again in April 2009
05/21/2009 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 89.5 million tonnes in April 2009 — 23.6% lower than for the same month of 2008, and 2.9% below the previous month.
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 89.5 million tonnes in April 2009 — 23.6% lower than for the same month of 2008, and 2.9% below the previous month (March 2009).
While nearly all major regions logged double-digit production losses compared to April 2008, reductions were particularly severe in North America (-49.0%), the EU(27) (-48.6%), South America (-36.1%) and C.I.S. (-30.1%).
Compared to the other regions and their largest countries, production in China was only slightly lower at -3.9% vs. April 2008, on a 3.7% dip vs. the previous month (March 2009). China’s April production, at 43,414 tonnes, represents approximately 49% of total April world crude steel production. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world fell about 35.9% since April 2008, after falling about 2.1% vs. the previous month (March 2009).
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World Steel Production, April '09
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Region
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% of April '09 Total
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Change vs. April '08
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EU (27)
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10.6%
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-48.6%
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Other EU
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2.4%
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-20.4%
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CIS
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8.2%
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-30.1%
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N. America
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6.5%
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-49.0%
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S. America
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2.9%
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-36.1%
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Africa
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1.4%
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-19.8%
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Middle East
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1.7%
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+0.2%
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Asia
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65.9%
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-10.8%
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Oceania
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0.4%
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-54.0%
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World
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--
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-23.6%
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For the year to date, China’s production has reached 231,168 million tonnes, a 1.4% increase vs. YTD 2008. This compares to year-on-year YTD losses for all world regions.
Weighing in at 65.9% of total world production for April 2009, production in Asia stood at 58.93 million tonnes in April, 10.8% lower than in April 2008. Representing 49.2% of world production for April, Chinese production was reported at 43,413 million tonnes in April, a 3.9% decrease compared to April 2008, and a 3.7% decrease compared to the previous month (March 2009). Japan (-43.6%) and Taiwan (-40.6%) logged the region’s largest percentage decrease.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 231.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 231.17 million tonnes of crude steel, a 9.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 9.48 million tonnes of crude steel in April, down significant 48.6% from April 2008. Comparing April 2009 to April 2008, crude steel production fell by 64.6% in Belgium, 63.2% in Slovenia, and by 60.8% in Romania. None of the countries in this region recorded an increase over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 10.6% of the total reported world production in April 2009, compared to 11.2% the previous month.
For the year to date, EU(27) reported the production of 40.26 million tonnes of crude steel, a 44.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled nearly 2.14 million tonnes in April, a decrease of 20.4% compared to April 2008. The most significant decreases were recorded in Croatia (-100%), Serbia (-93.6%), and Switzerland (-74.3%). Altogether, these countries contributed 2.4% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually unchanged from 2.3% for the previous month.
For the year to date, Other Europe reported the production of 8.38 million tonnes of crude steel, a 23.1% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 7.37 million tonnes in April, reflecting a 30.1% decrease compared to April 2008. Moldova reported the largest decrease (-38.3%) over the period, followed by Ukraine (-37.6%) and Russia (-26.6%). Altogether, these countries contributed 8.3% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, CIS reported the production of 28.84 million tonnes of crude steel, a 32.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
North American production totaled 5.85 million tonnes in March, a steep 49.0% decrease in comparison to April 2008. Comparing April 2009 to April 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in El Salvador (-72.6%), the United States (-53.4%), and Canada (-43.9%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 6.5% of the total reported world production in April 2009, up slightly from 6.1% in March.
For the year to date, North America reported the production of 23.48 million tonnes of crude steel, a 48.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
South American production for April 2009 totaled 2.62 million tonnes, a 36.1% decrease compared to April 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Peru (-50.0%), Paraguay (-48.5%), Argentina (-44.3%), and Brazil (-40.4%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 2.9% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, South America reported the production of 10.23 million tonnes of crude steel, a 36.5% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.24 million tonnes in April 2009, a 19.8% decrease compared to April 2008. Comparing April 2009 to April 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Morocco (-33.9%) and South Africa (-22.0%). The African countries contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 4.68 million tonnes of crude steel, a 23.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.48 million tonnes in April 2009, a slight 0.2% increase compared to April 2008. Comparing April 2009 to April 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Qatar (-28.9%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.7% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually the same as the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 5.53 million tonnes of crude steel, a 0.2% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.35 million tonnes in April 2009, a steep 54.0% decrease compared to April 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in April 2009, virtually unchanged from 0.3% for the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 1.5 million tonnes of crude steel, a 49.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Total world production for April 2009 decreased 2.9% compared to the previous month, March 2009.
