African crude steel production slumps in February

KAMPALA (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by the African region fell sharply by 7.6% during the month of February year-on-year.

The total crude steel production by Algeria during February was 35,000 tonnes, higher by 16.7% when compared with February last year. Egypt produced 550,000 tonnes of crude steel, higher by 5.6% when compared to 521,000 tonnes production achieved during February 2014. Libya’s crude steel output tumbled 41.2% to 45,000 tonnes during the month of February this year. Morocco’s output too plunged heavily by 74.5% to 10,000 tonnes, when compared to 39,000 tonnes production achieved during February 2014. South Africa’s crude steel output dropped 11.8% from 567,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes year-on-year.

When compared with the previous month, Algerian crude steel output remained flat. Egypt’s output has declined marginally when compared with 465,000 tonnes during January this year. Libyan crude steel output in February ‘15 dropped sharply over the previous month. Morocco’s production remained flat during the month. South African production dropped by 50,000 tonnes when matched with the previous month.

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the first two months in 2015 in comparison with those during same period in 2014.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes