core sector communique

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

Brussels, 21 June 2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 124 million metric tons (mmt) in May. This is 29.1% higher than May 2009.

 

China’s crude steel production for May 2010 was 56.1 mmt, an increase of 20.7% compared to May 2009.

 

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.7 mmt of crude steel in May 2010, up 50.2% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for May 2010 was 5.2 mmt, 28% up compared to the same month last year.

 

 

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for May 2010 was 4.1 mmt, an increase of 87.7% on May 2009. Italy produced 2.5 mmt, 42% higher than the same month in 2009. Spain produced 1.6 mmt of crude steel in May 2010, an increase of 24.9% compared to May 2009.

 

Turkey produced 2.5 mmt of crude steel in May 2010, an 18.8% increase over the same month in 2009.

 

The US produced 7.2 mmt of crude steel in May 2010, an increase of 73.8% compared to May 2009.

 

Brazilian crude steel production was 2.9 mmt, 50.8% higher than May 2009.

 

World crude steel production in May 2010 was 9.9% higher in comparison with May 2007, before the impact of the global economic crisis was felt. However, while China, South Korea and Turkey showed increased crude steel production in May 2010 compared to the same month 2007, the US, Italy, Spain and Japan are not yet back to pre-crisis production levels. The EU is -18%, North America -14.8% and Latin America -9.8% down on the five months to May total in 2007.

 

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in May 2010 slightly declined to 82% from 83.4% in April 2010. Compared to May 2009, the utilisation ratio in May 2010 increased by 15 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.