worldsteel: Crude Steel Output Surged in December

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The world crude steel production by 71 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) totalled 135.7 million tonnes (Mt) in the month of December this year, modestly lower by 5.3% when compared to the same month a year before.

The largest steel producing region was the Asia and Oceania, whose output totalled 96.40 Mt during the month. The second largest producer was the North American region, with an output of 9.30 Mt. In third place was the block of EU-27 countries, which recorded an output of 9.10 Mt. The output (in Mt) by the other regions is as follows: Africa (1.90), Russia and other CIS+ Ukraine (7.10), Other Europe (3.90), Middle East (4.90) and South America (3.20).

The Other Europe region output surged the most, rising significantly by 19.4% from the prior year month. The African region too saw notable surge in output by 17.70%. The Russia and Other CIS+ Ukraine output too was up by 11.80% upon comparison with December 2022. The Middle East region recorded modest year-on-year rise in output by 9.60%. The North America and EU-27 output too was up by 5.30% and 2.70%.

The largest production decline of 9.70% was recorded buy the Asia and Oceania region. The only other region to record year-on-year decline in crude steel production volumes was South America, whose output declined by 3.2% year-on-year.