World Steel Production Slumps through November 2008
12/22/2008 - ABSTRACT: Figures released by the World Steel Association International show that world crude steel production for the 67 countries reporting stood at an estimated 89.0 million tonnes in November 2008 — 19.0% lower than for the same month of 2007, and 10.3% lower than the previous month (October 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 67 countries reporting stood at an estimated 89.0 million tonnes in November 2008 — 19.0% lower than for the same month of 2007, and 10.3% lower than the previous month (October 2008).
Much of the loss in total production was from countries other than China, where production fell by approximately 2% vs. October 2008, and by approximately 12.4% vs. November 2007. Excluding China’s production, world production fell by about 15% vs. the previous month (October 2008), and by nearly 23% since November 2007.
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World Steel Production, Nov. '08
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Region
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% of Nov. '08 Total
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Change vs. Nov. '07
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EU (27)
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14.6%
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-24.8%
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Other EU
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2.3%
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-16.1%
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CIS
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6.5%
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-43.1%
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N. America
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8.7%
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-30.4%
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S. America
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3.8%
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-17.8%
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Africa
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1.15%
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-35.0%
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Middle East
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1.42%
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-10.3%
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Asia
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60.7%
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-11.4%
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Oceania
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0.8%
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-9.2%
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World
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--
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-19.0%
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For the first eleven months of 2008, total world crude steel production reached 1224.63 million tonnes, a 0.9% increase over the first eleven months of 2007. Of that 1225-million-tonne eleven-month total, China produced 462.96 million tonnes of crude steel (37.8% of the eleven-month total). China’s eleven-month total reflects a 2.6% increase compared to the same period in 2007.
Weighing in at 60.7% of total world production for November 2008, production in Asia stood at 54.06 million tonnes in November, 11.4% lower than in November 2007. Representing 39.52% of world production for November, Chinese production was reported at 35.19 million tonnes in November, a 12.4% decrease compared to November 2007, and a 2% fall compared to the previous month (October 2008).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 13.0 million tonnes of crude steel in November, down 24.8% from November 2007. Comparing November 2008 to November 2007, crude steel production fell by 58.9% in Luxembourg, and by more than 45% in Slovakia, Spain, and Belgium. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 14.6% of the total reported world production in November 2008, compared to 16.6% in October.
Production in Other Europe totaled nearly 2.1 million tonnes in November, a decrease of 16.1% compared to November 2007. Croatiashowed the largest increases (estimated at +98%), while production fell by 38.8% in Switzerland, and by 21% in Macedonia. Altogether, these countries contributed 2.1% of the total reported world production in November 2008, virtually unchanged from 2.1% in October.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 5.8 million tonnes in November, reflecting a sizeable 43.1% decrease compared to November 2007. Kazakhstan and The Ukraine reported the largest decreases (–58.5% and –54.9%, respectively) over the period. Altogether, these countries contributed 6.5% of the total reported world production in November 2008, compared to 7.0% in October.
North American production totaled 7.7 million tonnes in November, a significant 30.4% decrease in comparison to November 2007. Comparing November 2008 to November 2007, the increases were recorded in Guatemala (+34.2%), Cuba (++26.6%) and Canada (+15.2%), while production fell by 69.3% in Trinidad and Tobago and by 38.4% in the United States. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 8.7% of the total reported world production in November 2008, down from 9.9% in October.
South American production for November 2008 totaled 3.4 million tonnes, a 17.8% decrease compared to November 2007. The largest percentage decreases took effect in Argentina (-20.2%), Brazil (-19.1%), Venezuela (-18.5%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.8% of the total reported world production in November 2008, down from 4.1% in October.
Production in Africa totaled 1.03 million tonnes in November 2008, a 35.0% decrease compared to November 2007. Comparing November 2008 to November 2007, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Zimbabwe (-100%), Morocco (-87.3%), Algeria (-46.6%) and South Africa (-40.4%) over the period. The African countries contributed 1.15% of the total reported world production in November 2008, down from 1.32% in October.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.27 million tonnes in November 2008, a 10.3% decrease compared to November 2007. Comparing November 2008 to November 2007, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Saudi Arabia (-36.3%) and Qatar (-15.8%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in November 2008, up slightly from 1.3% in the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.68 million tonnes in November, a 9.2% decrease compared to November 2007. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.76% of the total reported world production in November 2008, up slightly from 0.67% in October.
Total world production for November fell 10.3% compared to the previous month, October 2008.
