BRUSSELS - World
crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting
to the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI)
was 117.2 million metric tons (mmt) in July. This is
6.2% higher than the same month last year.
Total world crude steel production was 815.1 mmt in
the first seven months of 2008, a 6.1% increase over
the same period in 2007. In July 2008, the world moving
annual total (MAT) growth rate stayed at 5.8%, unchanged
for the last four months.
In the first seven months of 2008, China produced 308.3
mmt of crude steel, an increase of 9.3% compared to
the same period in 2007. In July 2008, China’s
MAT growth rate continued to slow further to 9.6%, compared
to its MAT growth rate peak of 26.3% in January 2006.
China’s crude steel production for July 2008 was
44.9 mmt, an increase of 7.5% on July 2007.
Overall, Asia produced 66.4 mmt of crude steel in July
2008 compared to 62 mmt in July 2007, a 7.1% increase
in crude steel production.
In July 2008, the largest producer in the EU was Germany,
with 3.8 mmt of crude steel, a decrease of -5.7%. The
UK produced 1.1 mmt crude steel, a decrease of -3.9%
compared to the same month last year.
North America showed its eighth consecutive monthly
increase of MAT growth rate, rising to 5.4% from 4.5%
last month. Total crude steel production in North America
was 11.6 mmt in July 2008, an increase of 7.1% on July
2007.
South America recorded a 12.8% increase in crude steel
production with 4.5 mmt in July 2008. Brazil produced
3.2 mmt, 11.5% higher than July 2007.
Source: International Iron and Steel Institute, August
20, 2008 |
