Crude Steel Output by North American Region Surged 3.8%

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The North American region reported notable jump in crude steel output during the month of April this year, says latest statistics published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel). The regional output surged higher significantly by 3.8% upon comparison with the year-before month. The Apr ’19 output by the region totaled 10.196 million tonnes (Mt), as against the output of 9.823 Mt during the same month in 2018.

The notable rise in regional output was mainly led by the surge in output by the U.S. - the largest steel producer in the region. The U.S. crude steel output edged higher by 7.3% over the previous year. The output by the country totaled 7.428 Mt in April this year. This compares with the output of 6.922 Mt in April 2018.

Meantime, Mexico- the second largest regional steel producer reported notable decline in output. The Mexican output was down by 8.2% from 1.743 Mt in Apr ’18 to 1.600 Mt in April this year. Canada- the other key producer reported marginal jump in monthly output. The Canadian crude steel output was up by almost 1.0% from 1.109 Mt to 1.120 Mt over the previous year.

The above three countries accounted for approximately 99.5% of the total North American crude steel production in April this year.

The rise in production by the U.S. was partially offset by huge production declines in Cuba and Mexico.

The North American steel output totaled 40.707 Mt during the first four months of 2019, higher b y3.4% over the previous year. It must be noted that the regional steel output had totaled only 39.362 Mt in Jan-Apr ’18.