core sector communique

June 2010 crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel

 

Brussels, 20 July 2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 119 million metric tons (mmt) in June. This is 18% higher than June 2009.

 

World crude steel production in the first six months of 2010 was 706 mmt, 27.9% higher in comparison with the same period of 2009. All the regions showed increased crude steel production during the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009.

 

Although production in the first half of 2010 increased by 7.2% compared to the same period of 2007, just before the global economic crisis, most of the world has not recovered to pre-crisis levels. Only Asia and the Middle East showed increased crude steel production compared to the first six months of 2007. Crude steel production in the EU, CIS, US and Canada is still more than 15% below 2007 levels.

 

China’s crude steel production for June 2010 was 53.8 mmt, an increase of 9% compared to June 2009.

 

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.4 mmt of crude steel in June 2010, up 35.9% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s

crude steel production for June 2010 was 4.8 mmt, 21.9% up compared to the same month last year.

 

 

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for June 2010 was 3.9 mmt, an increase of 53.4% on June 2009. Italy produced 2.3 mmt, 32.8% higher than the same month in 2009. France produced 1.5 mmt of crude steel in June 2010, an increase of 31.4% compared to June 2009.

 

Turkey produced 2.5 mmt of crude steel in June 2010, 13.8% higher than June 2009.

 

Russia produced 5.4 mmt of crude steel in June 2010, a 6% increase over the same month in 2009 and Ukraine’s crude steel production for June 2010 was 2.5 mmt, up 7.2% compared to the same month last year.

 

The US produced 7.2 mmt of crude steel in June 2010, an increase of 65% compared to June 2009.

 

Brazilian crude steel production was 2.9 mmt, 46.8% higher than June 2009.

 

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in June 2010 declined again to 80.6% from 82.0% in May 2010. Compared to June 2009, the utilisation ratio in June 2010 increased by 8.3 percentage points.

 

Notes:

 

• The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production and capacity information available at worldsteel. The capacity information is based on publicly-available data, updated twice a year and verified through worldsteel’s membership.

• The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 180 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.