According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first five months of 2010 the country registered a 2.5 percent decrease year on year in its crude steel production to 1.106 million metric tons, and a 3.8 percent drop in its finished steel product output to 1.027 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in January-May this year, Belarus' output of steel pipes increased by 71.1 percent year on year to 63,900 metric tons, including 41,600 metric tons of seamless pipes - up 161.8 percent year on year. On the other hand, the country's steel wire rod production went down by 4.6 percent to 28,500 metric tons, while its steel cord output increased by 4.7 percent to 37,300 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.
Compared to April this year, the country's crude steel output in May decreased by 5.5 percent (amounting to 222,600 mt), its finished steel products output went down by 12.1 percent (194,000 mt), its pipe production decreased by 9.4 percent (11,300 mt), while its steel wire rod output increased by 1.2 percent (5,900 mt), and its steel cord production went up by 15.4 percent (6,700 mt).
As of June 1 this year, Belarus' steelmakers had accumulated 4,100 mt of steel pipes in their warehouses, a figure which equals 37.8 percent of their average monthly pipe production volume. The total value of steel products accumulated in the warehouses of local steelmakers as of June 1 this year amounted to Belarus Ruble 93.2 billion (approx. $31 million), which is equal to 21 percent of the country's average monthly steel production volume.