Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 121.65 million tonnes in April 2010 — an 0.4% decrease from the previous month (March 2010) and a 35.7% increase vs. April 2009.
China again logged a 27.0% year-on-year increase, while production for the balance of the world (excluding China’s production) increased about 43.9% vs. April 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries reached 83.4% in April 2010, an increase of 1.9 percentage points from the previous month (March 2010) and an increase of 18.9 percentage points compared to April 2009.
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World Steel Production, April '10
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Region
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% of April '10 Total
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Change vs. April '09
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EU (27)
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12.7%
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+64.1%
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Other EU
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2.2%
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+25.8%
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CIS
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7.6%
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+28.2%
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N. America
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7.8%
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+70.8%
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S. America
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2.9%
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+37.6%
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Africa
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1.1%
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+8.9%
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Middle East
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1.4%
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+11.1%
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Asia
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63.8%
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+30.1%
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Oceania
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0.5%
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+86.5%
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World
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--
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+35.7%
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Weighing in at 63.8% of total world production for April 2010 (up from 63.4% the previous month), production in Asia stood at 77.64 million tonnes in April, 30.1% higher than in April 2009. Taiwan (+160.1%) and Japan (+56.7%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. April 2009.
For the year to date, the countries of Asia reported the production of 300.36 million tonnes of crude steel, a 29.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Most countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year.
Representing 45.5% of world production for April (down slightly from 45.7% the previous month), China’s production was reported at 55.40 million tonnes in April, the highest amount of crude steel China has ever produced in a single month. China’s reported production represents a 27.0% increase compared to April 2009.
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 15.42 million tonnes of crude steel in April, up 64.1% from April 2009. Comparing April 2010 to April 2009, crude steel production grew by 126.6% in Sweden, 126.4% in Slovenia, and by 107.2% in Germany, with all other countries in the region reporting double-digit year-on-year increases over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.7% of the total reported world production in April 2010, virtually unchanged from 12.6% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of EU(27) reported the production of 57.96 million tonnes of crude steel, a 44.3% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Other than Greece (-15.2%), most of the countries in the region continue to report double-digit YTD increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.69 million tonnes in April, an increase of 25.8% compared to April 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Serbia (+465.7%), Croatia (+249.9%) and Switzerland (+177.6%) while Norway reported a 2.2% decrease. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.2% of the total reported world production in April 2010, virtually unchanged from 2.1% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of Other Europe reported the production of 9.79 million tonnes of crude steel, a 14.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in the region continue to report double- and triple-digit increases vs. the previous year, but others have recorded double-digit decreases (Macedonia, Norway).
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 9.25 million tonnes in April, reflecting a 28.2% increase compared to April 2009. While Moldova(+47.1%), Ukraine (+39.0%) and Russia (+28.9%) reported double-digit increases vs. April 2009, other countries in the region reported decreases, including Kazakhstan (-15.0%), Uzbekistan (-11.8%), and Byelorussia (-7.3%). Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.6% of the total reported world production in April 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries of the CIS reported the production of 34.82 million tonnes of crude steel, a 21.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in this region (Moldova, Ukraine, Russia) continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
North American production totaled 9.45 million tonnes in April, a 70.8% increase in comparison to April 2009. Comparing April 2010 to April 2009, the largest increases were recorded in El Salvador (+311.8%), Trinidad and Tobago (+148.3%) and Canada (+83.2%). Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in April 2010, down slightly from 8.0% in the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in North America reported the production of 36.70 million tonnes of crude steel, a 58.7% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Countries in the region continue to report double- or triple-digit increases vs. the previous year.
South American production for April 2010 totaled 3.52 million tonnes, a 37.6% increase compared to April 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Brazil (+56.6%), Argentina (+53.4%), and Paraguay (+45.8%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Chile (-100.0%) and Venezuela (-34.2%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 2.9% of the total reported world production in April 2010, down from 3.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the countries in South America reported the production of 13.89 million tonnes of crude steel, a 33.1% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some countries in the region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while others report double-digit losses (Venezuela, Chile, and Columbia).
Production in Africa totaled 1.38 million tonnes in April 2010, an 8.9% increase compared to April 2009. Comparing April 2010 to April 2009, the largest percentage decreases were recorded in Algeria (-42.7%) and Libya (-20.0%) while the largest increase was recorded by Morocco (+41.5%). The African countries contributed 1.1% of the total reported world production in April 2010, unchanged from the previous month.
For the year to date, Africa reported the production of 5.33 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.5% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Some of the countries in this region continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year, while others (Libya, Algeria) are reporting double-digit decreases.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.67 million tonnes in April 2010, an 11.1% increase compared to April 2009. Comparing April 2010 to April 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in
Qatar (+76.6%) while single-digit increases were reported by Iran (+6.2%) and Saudi Arabia (+8.0%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.4% of the total reported world production in April 2010, up slightly from 1.3% the previous month.
For the year to date, the Middle East reported the production of 6.36 million tonnes of crude steel, a 13.0% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period. Several countries in the region (Qatar, Saudi Arabia) continue to report double-digit increases vs. the previous year.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.65 million tonnes in April 2010, an 86.5% increase compared to April 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.5% of the total reported world production in April 2009, down slightly from 0.6% the previous month.
For the year to date, Oceania reported the production of 2.60 million tonnes of crude steel, a 73.6% increase vs. the comparable year-ago period.
Total world production for April 2010 decreased 0.4% compared to the previous month, March 2010, and increased by 35.7% compared to April 2009. Year to date production, at 467.80 million tonnes, reflects a 31.8% increase over YTD 2009.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, representing approximately 180 steel producers (including 19 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.