World Steel Production Rebounds in May 2009
06/22/2009 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association stood at an estimated 95.6 million tonnes in May 2009 — 7.4% above the previous month but still 21% lower than May 2008.
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 95.6 million tonnes in May 2009 — 7.4% higher than the previous month (April 2009) but still 21.0% lower than May 2008.
While nearly all major regions logged double-digit production losses compared to May 2008, reductions were particularly severe in North America (-47.8%), Oceania (-47.7%), the EU(27) (-44.8%), C.I.S. (-33.6%), and South America (-33.4).
Compared to the other regions and their largest countries, production in China was slightly higher (+0.6%) vs. May 2008, on a 7.0% increase vs. the previous month (April 2009). China’s April production, at 46,460 tonnes, represents approximately 49% of total May world crude steel production. Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world fell about 34.4% since May 2008, after increasing about 7.8% vs. the previous month (April 2009).
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World Steel Production, May '09
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Region
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% of May '09 Total
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Change vs. May '08
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EU (27)
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11.0%
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-44.8%
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Other EU
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2.5%
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-20.3%
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CIS
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8.0%
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-33.6%
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N. America
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6.5%
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-47.8%
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S. America
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2.9%
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-33.4%
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Africa
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1.3%
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-21.0%
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Middle East
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1.5%
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-0.6%
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Asia
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66.0%
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-7.0%
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Oceania
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0.4%
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-47.7%
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World
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--
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-21.0%
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For the year to date, China’s production has reached 217,191 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 May 2009, production in Asia stood at 63.07 million tonnes in May, 7.0% lower than in May 2008. Representing 48.6% of world production for May, Chinese production was reported at 46,460 million tonnes in May, a 0.6% increase compared to May 2008, and a 7.0% increase compared to the previous month (April 2009). Taiwan (-39.5%) and Japan (-38.5%) and logged the region’s largest percentage decrease vs. May 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 294.31 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
For the year to date, Asia reported the production of 294.31 million tonnes of crude steel, an 8.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 10.5 million tonnes of crude steel in May, down 44.8% from May 2008. Comparing May 2009 to May 2008, crude steel production fell by 76.3% in Slovenia, 64.0% in Romania, 59.0% in Belgium, and 56.6% in Sweden. None of the countries in this region recorded an increase over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 11.0% of the total reported world production in May 2009, compared to 10.6% the previous month.
For the year to date, EU(27) reported the production of 50.71 million tonnes of crude steel, a 44.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.35 million tonnes in May, a decrease of 20.3% compared to May 2008. The most significant decreases were recorded in Serbia(-100%) and Croatia (-78.9%). Altogether, these countries contributed 2.5% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually unchanged from 2.4% for the previous month.
For the year to date, Other Europe reported the production of 10.73 million tonnes of crude steel, a 22.4% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 7.65 million tonnes in May, reflecting a 33.6% decrease compared to May 2008. Moldova reported the largest decrease (-94.0%) over the period, followed by Ukraine (-40.0%) and Russia (-31.2%). Altogether, these countries contributed 8.2% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, CIS reported the production of 36.28 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
North American production totaled 6.22 million tonnes in March, a 47.8% decrease in comparison to May 2008. Comparing May 2009 to May 2008, the largest decreases were recorded in El Salvador (-70.6%), the United States (-50.6%), and Canada (-49.0%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 6.5% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, North America reported the production of 29.40 million tonnes of crude steel, a 49.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
South American production for May 2009 totaled 2.80 million tonnes, a 33.4% decrease compared to May 2008. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Peru (-54.6%), Argentina (-46.2%), and Uruguay (-39.0%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 2.9% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, South America reported the production of 13.03 million tonnes of crude steel, a 35.9% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Africa totaled 1.22 million tonnes in May 2009, a 21.0% decrease compared to May 2008. Comparing May 2009 to May 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Algeria (-60.1%), Morocco (-28.8%) and South Africa (-22.1%). The African countries contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in May 2009, a slight decrease from 1.4% in the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 5.93 million tonnes of crude steel, a 23.8% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.41 million tonnes in May 2009, a slight 0.6% decrease compared to May 2008. Comparing May 2009 to May 2008, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Qatar (-43.2%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.7% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually the same as the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 6.94 million tonnes of crude steel, a 0.3% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.38 million tonnes in May 2009, a 47.7% decrease compared to May 2008. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.4% of the total reported world production in May 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 1.88 million tonnes of crude steel, a 49.1% decrease vs. YTD 2008.
Total world production for May 2009 increased 7.4% compared to the previous month, April 2009.
