Figures released by the World Steel Association show that world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting stood at an estimated 109.24 million tonnes in January 2010 — 2.1% higher than the previous month (December 2009) but 25.9% higher than January 2009.
In a reversal from trends in previous months, China logged one of the lower year-on-year increases (+18.2%). Excluding China’s production, production for the balance of the world increased about 32.8% vs. January 2009.
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World Steel Production, Jan. '10
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Region
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% of Jan. '10 Total
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Change vs. Jan. '09
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EU (27)
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12.3%
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+33.7%
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Other EU
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2.2%
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+8.2%
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CIS
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7.8%
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+29.9%
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N. America
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7.9%
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+46.2%
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S. America
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3.4%
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+48.0%
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Africa
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1.2%
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+21.1%
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Middle East
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1.3%
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+19.1%
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Asia
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63.2%
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+21.8%
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Oceania
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0.6%
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+31.8%
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World
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--
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+25.9%
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Weighing in at 63.2% of total world production for January 2010, production in Asia stood at 69.06 million tonnes in January, 21.8% higher than in January 2009. Taiwan (+70.9%) Japan (+36.8%) and South Korea (+32.4%) logged the region’s largest percentage increases vs. January 2009.
The World Steel Association noted that in the absence of official data from the Chinese government, this month’s China data comes from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA). Representing 44.6% of world production for January, Chinese production was reported at 48.69 million tonnes in January, representing approximately 44.6% of total January world crude steel production. China’s reported production represents an 18.2% increase compared to January 2009, and a 2.2% increase compared to the previous month (December 2009).
The twenty-seven countries of the European Union (EU(27)) produced 13.48 million tonnes of crude steel in January, up 33.7% from January 2009. Comparing January 2010 to January 2009, crude steel production grew by 110.9% in Slovakia and by 100.6% in the Netherlands, but fell by 42.0% in Greece. All other countries in the region reported double-digit increases over the period. Altogether, the countries in the EU27 contributed 12.3% of the total reported world production in January 2010, up from 11.5% the previous month.
Production in Other Europe totaled 2.43 million tonnes in January, an increase of 8.2% compared to January 2009. The most significant increases were recorded in Bosnia-Herzegovina (+154.8%) and Serbia (+212.1%) while a small decrease (-1.7%) was reported for Switzerland. Altogether, the countries in Other Europe contributed 2.2% of the total reported world production in January 2010, down slightly from 2.4% in the previous month.
Production in the countries of the CIS totaled 8.55 million tonnes in January, reflecting a 29.9% increase compared to January 2009. While Moldova (-46.4%) and Byelorussia (-19.0%) reported double-digit decreases vs. January 2008, most other countries reported increases, including Kazakhstan (+49.3%), Russia (+33.0), and Ukraine (+28.4%), and. Altogether, the CIS countries contributed 7.8% of the total reported world production in January 2010, down from 8.4% of the previous month’s total.
North American production totaled 8.59 million tonnes in January, a 46.2% increase in comparison to January 2009. Comparing January 2010 to January 2009, the largest increases were recorded in Cuba (+347.8%), El Salvador (+261.1%), and Trinidad and Tobago (+199.7%). Other countries in the region reported double-digit increases over the period. Altogether, the North American countries contributed 7.9% of the total reported world production in January 2010, up from 7.7% in the previous month.
South American production for January 2010 totaled 3.71 million tonnes, a 48.0% increase compared to January 2009. The region’s largest percentage increases took effect in Paraguay (+177.8%), Brazil (+66.6%), Chile (+59.2%) and Peru (+53.8%). Altogether, the South American countries contributed 3.4% of the total reported world production in January 2010, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
Production in Africa totaled 1.29 million tonnes in January 2010, a 21.1% increase compared to January 2009. Comparing January 2010 to January 2009, the largest percentage increases were recorded in Algeria (+103.0%) and South Africa (+51.1%), and the largest decrease was recorded by Libya (-35.2%). The African countries contributed 1.2% of the total reported world production in January 2010, down slightly from 1.3% the previous month.
Production in the Middle East totaled 1.46 million tonnes in January 2010, a 19.1% increase compared to January 2009. Comparing January 2010 to January 2009, the largest percentage increase was recorded in Saudi Arabia (+134.4%) while a decrease was recorded in Iran (-5.2%). Altogether, the countries of the Middle East contributed 1.3% of the total reported world production in January 2010, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
Production in Oceania totaled 0.676 million tonnes in January 2010, a 31.8% increase compared to January 2009. Altogether, the countries of Oceania contributed 0.6% of the total reported world production in January 2009, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
Total world production for January 2010 increased 2.1% compared to the previous month, December 2009, and by 25.9% compared to January 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.