African crude steel production rebounded in Dec '14

KAMPALA (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by the African region recovered sharply by 7.6% during the month of December 2014 year-on-year.

The total crude steel production by Algeria during Dec ‘14 was 35,000 tonnes, remaining flat over the year. Egypt produced 658,000 tonnes of crude steel, up 17.0% when compared to 562,000 tonnes production achieved during December 2013. Libya’s crude steel output surged by 26.1% to 85,000 tonnes during the month of December 2014. On the other hand, Morocco’s output plunged by nearly 60% to 11,000 tonnes, when compared to 27,000 tonnes production achieved during December 2013. South Africa’s crude steel output was marginally up by 0.3% from 608,000 tonnes to 610,000 tonnes year-on-year.

The total crude steel production by Algeria during November last year was 35,000 tonnes, higher by 16.7% when compared with November 2013. Egypt produced 450,000 tonnes of crude steel, down 28.8% when compared to 632,000 tonnes production achieved during November 2013. Libya’s crude steel output surged by 14.7% to 80,000 tonnes during the month of November last year. Morocco’s output too was up by 15.7% to 50,000 tonnes, when compared to 43,000 tonnes production achieved during November 2013. South Africa’s crude steel output dropped 4.0% from 625,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes year-on-year.

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the entire year 2014 in comparison with 2013.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes