According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first nine months of 2010 the country registered a 4.8 percent increase year on year in its crude steel production to almost two million metric tons, and saw a three percent increase in its rolled steel product (finished) output to 1.85 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in January-September this year, Belarus' output of steel pipes increased by 72.2 percent year on year to 127,700 metric tons, including 74,500 metric tons of seamless steel pipes - up 125.4 percent year on year. In addition, the country's steel wire production went up by 45 percent to 54,700 metric tons and its steel cord output increased by 35.7 percent to 68,900 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.
Compared to August this year, the country's crude steel output in September decreased by 2.3 percent, its rolled steel product output went down by 6.5 percent, its steel wire production dropped by 1.3 percent, while its steel cord output increased by one percent and its steel pipe production went up by 15.8 percent.
As of October 1 this year, Belarus' steelmakers had accumulated 4,300 metric tons of steel pipes in their warehouses, a figure which equals 35.4 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 October 1 this year amounted to Belarus Ruble 82.3 billion (approx. $27.4 million), which is equal to 17.6 percent of the country's average monthly ferrous metals production volume.