According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first 10 months of 2010 the country registered a 7.1 percent increase year on year in its crude steel production to 2.222 million metric tons, and saw a 4.7 percent increase in its rolled steel product (finished) output to 2.052 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in January-October this year, Belarus' output of steel pipes increased by 68.6 percent year on year to 144,100 metric tons, including 84,100 metric tons of seamless steel pipes - up 120.7 percent year on year. In addition, the country's steel wire production went up by 51.4 percent to 61,900 metric tons and its steel cord output increased by 33.7 percent to 77,500 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.
Compared to September this year, the country's crude steel output in October decreased by 0.2 percent, its rolled steel product output went down by 3.3 percent, its steel pipe production dropped by 4.1 percent, while its steel wire production increased by 7.8 percent and its steel cord production went up by 2.5 percent.
As of November 1 this year, Belarus' steelmakers had accumulated 4,100 metric tons of steel pipes in their warehouses, a figure which equals 32.7 percent of their average monthly pipe production volume. The total value of steel products accumulated in the warehouses of local ferrous metals producers as of November 1 this year amounted to Belarus Ruble 94.8 billion (approx. $31.3 million), which is equal to 19.9 percent of the country's average monthly ferrous metals production volume.