Crude Steel Output by African Nations Posted 42% Dip

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel), the crude steel production by the African region tumbled by 42% during the month of May 2020 year-on-year.

Egypt produced 628,000 tonnes of crude steel, considerably lower by 3.6% when compared to 651,000 tonnes production achieved during May 2019. Libya’s crude steel output improved marginally to 47,000 tonnes during the month of May this year, when matched with 46,000 tonnes produced during the same month a year before. South Africa’s crude steel declined the most, falling by over 95% to 25,000 tonnes during the month when matched with the corresponding month a year before. The South African steel output had totalled 510,000 tonnes in May last year.

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Egypt’s output has increased marginally by 0.7% to 3.518 million tonnes (Mt) in the initial five-month period of 2020, when compared with 3.494 Mt during Jan-May last year. The cumulative Libyan crude steel output witnessed sharp decline by almost 13% in January to May this year. The country’s production dropped from 226,000 tonnes to 197,000 tonnes over the year. South African production edged lower by 52.2% from 2.679 Mt to 1.282 Mt, worldsteel data said.

The world crude steel output dropped sharply by 8.7% year-on-year during May this year to total 148.775 Mt.