According to the data released by
Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first ten months of 2009 the country registered a 6.9 percent decrease year on year in its crude steel
production to 2.075 million metric tons, and a 2.2 percent drop in its finished steel product output to 1.96 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, during the period in question,
Belarus' output of such products as steel
pipe,
wire rod and steel cord registered important decreases, of 31.7, 45.2 and 28.6 percent year on year respectively. The respective figures in metric tons were 88,200, 40,900 and 58,000.
As of November 1, 2009,
Belarus' steelmakers have accumulated 4,800 mt of steel pipes in their warehouses, which is 75.6 percent of their average monthly
pipe production volume. Compared to November 1, 2008, the producers' steel
pipe reserves have increased by 5.2 percent. The total value of steel products accumulated in the warehouses of local steelmakers amounts to
Belarus Rubles 88.5 billion (approx. $32.5 million).