Worldwide crude steel production rises in August 2003
According to data recently released by the IISI, global crude steel production rose both for the month of August and first eight months of 2003, 4.7% and 7.6% respectively compared to same periods of 2002. Figures reveal that production recorded in August amounted to 77.8 million metric tons. China is again the world's largest producer of crude steel with production of 18.9 million metric tons in August. EU ’s crude steel output was 11.4 million metrik tons in August. It shows a 2.4% decrease compared to August 2002 but 0.8% increase against the first eight months of 2002. Only Austria, Finland and Spain have higher production in August. Other European countries rose production by 4.8% compared to same month in 2002. Meanwhile in Turkey crude steel output increased by 14% over first eight months of 2002. CIS increased its production to 9.13 million metric tons by 4.9% over same month in 2002 and 6.6% compared to year-to-date figures of last year. Russian output up by 1.2% compared to August 2002 and 5.5% compared to eight months of 2002.
August July August %change 8 months
2003 2003 2002 Aug-03/02 2003 2002 %change
Other
Europe 4.165 4.191 3.975 4.8 32.230 29.436 9.5
EU (15) 11.475 12.562 11.753 -2.4 105.911 105.041 0.8
C.I.S 9.139 9.120 8.709 4.9 70.074 65.735 6.6
N.America 9.825 10.092 10.853 -9.5 82.887 81.600 1.6
S.America 3.853 3.753 3.571 7.9 28.802 26.614 8.2
Africa 1.399 1.363 1.320 6.0 10.942 9.709 12.7
MiddleEast 1.135 1.141 1.042 8.9 8.682 8.070 7.6
Asia 36.176 35.854 32.370 11.8 277.837 247.311 12.3
Ocenia 703 674 758 -7.2 5.510 5.475 0.7