Global crude steel production jumps 4% in February

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to the most recent statistics published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by 66 member countries was 132.402 million tonnes (Mt) in November this year, rising by 5.0% in comparison with the production of 126.114 Mt during same month a year before.

South America

The crude steel production by South American countries increased marginally during the month of February this year. The total monthly output was up by 1.50% to 3.209 Million tonnes.

The total crude steel production by Argentina during February was 305,000 tonnes, down considerably by 9.9% in comparison with the February 2016 production of 339,000 tonnes. Brazil produced 2.572 Million tonnes of crude steel, higher by 5.7% when compared with 2.433 Million tonnes production achieved during February last year. Chile’s February crude steel production dropped sharply by nearly 9.50% to 90,000 tonnes in February this year. The total crude steel production by Colombia was down by nearly 25% to 90,000 tonnes in February this year.

Ecuador’s crude steel output dropped significantly by nearly 7.4% on year-on-year basis. The crude steel output by Ecuador was 45,000 tonnes in February this year, down when compared with 49,000 tonnes during February last year.  Paraguay’s crude steel output plunged heavily by over 70% during the month.

The crude steel output by Peru recorded sharp decline of nearly 40% year-on-year. The crude steel output of Uruguay nosedived by 85.7% when compared with the year before levels. Venezuelan production rebounded sharply by 130.9% year-on-year from 22,000 tonnes to around 50,000 tonnes.

North America

The crude steel production by North American countries remained essentially flat during the month of February year-on-year. The production totaled 8.969 Mt during the month, as compared with 8.972 Mt during February 2016.

The total crude steel production by Canada during February this year was 1.030 Mt, slightly lower by 3.7% when compared with the February 2015 production. The US produced 6.362 Million tonnes of crude steel, marginally lower by 1.0% when compared with 6.424 Million tonnes production achieved during February 2016. The total crude steel production by Mexico edged higher by nearly 7% from 1.430 Mt in February ‘16 to 1.530 Mt in February this year.

The Cuban crude steel production increased by 16% year-on-year to 15,000 tonnes. The crude steel output by El Salvador was estimated at 7,000 tonnes in February this year, down by over 17% when compared with February last year. Guatemala produced 25,000 tonnes in February. The crude steel output by Trinidad & Tobago nosedived to zero.

Asia

The crude steel production by Asia surged higher by 5.1% during the month of February 2017 year-on-year.

The total crude steel production by China during February was 61.187 Million tonnes, rising by 4.6% when compared with the production of 58.469 Mt during February 2016. India produced 8.113 Million tonnes of crude steel, higher by 8.9% when compared with 7.451 Million tonnes production achieved during February last year.

Japan reported marginal decline of 0.1% in monthly crude steel output during the month. Japan's crude steel output was down from 8.345 Million tonnes in February 2016 to 8.340 Million tonnes in the same month this year.

South Korean crude steel production was up by 8.3% from 5.087 Million tonnes in February 2016 to 5.508 Million tonnes in February this year. Meantime, Pakistan’s crude steel output totaled 310,000 tonnes during the month.

The Taiwanese Feb ’17 crude steel output rose marginally by 3.5% year-on-year to 1.715 Million tonnes from 1.658 Million tonnes during same month last year. Also, Thailand’s crude steel output declined by 11.3% from 316,000 tonnes during February last year to almost 280,000 tonnes this year.

Africa

The crude steel production by the African region marked 18.2% jump during the month of February year-on-year.

Egypt produced 507,000 tonnes of crude steel, surging higher by 46.8% when compared to 346,000 tonnes production achieved during February 2016. Libya’s crude steel output dropped to 41,000 tonnes during the month of February this year, when matched with the production of 52,000 tonnes during the same month a year before. Morocco’s output held flat at around 45,000 tonnes. South Africa’s crude steel output increased marginally by 3.6% to 496,000 tonnes during the month when matched with the production figures of 479,000 tonnes during the same month a year before.

Other regions

The crude steel production by the Middle East region increased by 5.7% during the month of February ’17 year-on-year. EU-28 region recorded marginal decline of 0.6% in crude steel output during February this year. The output by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) remained nearly unchanged during the month. Meantime, Oceania region recorded 24.7% jump in output.

Jan-Feb ’17 cumulative output

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the first two months of 2017 in comparison with those during same period in 2016.

Note: The above outputs are in thousands of tonnes.