Canada Drives 9% Surge in North American Crude Output

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Americas region crude steel production recorded sharp rise during the month of November this year. The latest output data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) indicates nearly 9% surge in production by North American countries. Meantime, South American crude steel production reported 13% rise when compared with the same month a year before.

The monthly steel production by North America totaled 9.679 million tonnes (Mt) in November 2017. The output surged higher by 8.9% when compared with the corresponding month in 2016. The regional crude steel production had totaled 8.886 Mt in November 2016.

The US-the largest steel producer in the region reported 8.5% year-on-year jump in production. The output by the country soared from 6.185 Mt in November 2016 to 6.709 Mt in November this year. However, the Mexican production dropped marginally by 3.1% over the previous year to total 1.600 Mt. The Canadian output recorded strongest growth of 32% during the month. While El Salvador reported jump in output, Guatemala and Cuba witnessed marginal declines in production volumes, data said.

The following table provides the combined production figures for the initial eleven-month period in comparison with the previous year.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes

The regional steel output by South America totaled 3.834 million tonnes (Mt) during November 2017, as compared with the output of 3.401 Mt in November last year. Paraguay reported biggest jump (64.4%) in production. On the other hand, Venezuelan production tumbled sharply from nearly 74%.

Argentina reported 21% jump in production from 359,000 tons in November last year to 434,000 tons in November 2017. The other countries to report increased production were Colombia (+1.2%), Chile (+2.7%) and Brazil (+15.3%). Meantime, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador registered notable decline in output.

The following table provides comparison of cumulative crude steel output by each country during Jan-Nov ’17 with the output during the corresponding period last year.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes