African Crude Steel Production Recorded Massive Jump in 2017

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The world crude steel production data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) indicates that African region recorded the sharpest jump in yearly output during 2017. The African crude steel production surged higher significantly by 14.4% during the year.

As per worldsteel data, the cumulative crude output by the African region totaled around 15.0 million tonnes (Mt) in 2017. This is higher by 14.4% when compared with the output of 13.1 Mt in 2016. Among countries, Egypt and South Africa reported increased production during the year, whereas Libyan output dropped in comparison with 216.

The next biggest jump in output was reported by the Middle East region. The region’s production surged higher by nearly 11% from 31.5 Mt in 2016 to 34.9 Mt in 2017. The South American crude steel output totaled 43.7 Mt in 2017, higher by 8.7% when compared with the output of 40.2 Mt in 2016. The North American production too was up by 4.8% to total 116 Mt, upon comparison with the production of 110.6 Mt recorded in 2016. Also, the US production climbed higher by 4% over the previous year to total 81.6 Mt in 2017. In fact, the country accounted for nearly 70% of the production by the entire North American region.

European crude steel production edged higher by 3.8% over the year. The European production totaled 313.2 Mt in 2017. The EU-28 output has surged higher by over 4% from 162 Mt in 2016 to total 168.7 Mt during the previous year. Meantime, the CIS region reported no change in yearly output. The output by the region stagnated at 102.1 Mt. Also, the Oceania region recorded 2.5% jump in crude production.

The table below lists the world’s largest steel producing countries in 2017:-

Note: Output in Million tonnes (Mt)