Middle East Steel Production See Notable Surge in March

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The monthly crude steel production by the Middle East region surged higher significantly by 16% during the month of March this year. This is in accordance with the data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).

The regional output totaled 3.176 million tonnes (Mt), higher by 16% when matched with the output of 2.738 Mt in March last year. The production increases in Iran and Saudi Arabia were partially offset by production declines in Qatar and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia recorded biggest jump in crude steel production. The country’s output witnessed a surge by nearly 29% over the previous year to total 495,000 tonnes in March 2019. The production had totaled only 385,000 tonnes during the same month a year before. Iran too recorded 19.7% surge in output from 1.866 Mt in March ’18 to 2.235 Mt in March this year. Meantime, Qatar saw marginal decline in output from 239,000 tonnes to 235,000 tonnes over the year. The steel output by the UAE too dropped significantly by almost 15% from 248,000 tonnes to 212,000 tonnes.

The Jan-Mar ’19 steel production by the region totaled 9.072 Mt. This compares with 8.360 Mt produced during January to March in 2018. All counties recorded increased output over the previous year. Iran continued to be the leading producer in the region with an output of 6.223 Mt. The steel output by other countries is as follows: Saudi Arabia (1.412 Mt), the UAE (805,000 tonnes) and Qatar (632,000 tonnes).