According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first eight months of 2010 the country registered a two percent increase year on year in its crude steel production to 1.775 million metric tons, and a 1.5 percent increase in its rolled steel product (finished) output to 1.641 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in January-August this year, Belarus' output of steel pipes increased by 69.2 percent year on year to 110,600 metric tons, including 65,300 metric tons of seamless steel pipes - up 132 percent year on year. In addition, the country's steel wire production went up by 33.5 percent to 47,900 metric tons, and its steel cord output increased by 34.8 percent to 60,600 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.
Compared to July this year, the country's crude steel output in August increased by 2.5 percent, its rolled steel product output went up by 14 percent, its steel cord production rose by 7.8 percent, while its steel wire output decreased by 0.3 percent and its steel pipe production went down by 3.9 percent.
As of September 1 this year, Belarus' steelmakers had accumulated 5,900 mt of steel pipes in their warehouses, a figure which equals 49.6 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 September 1 this year amounted to Belarus Ruble 81.3 billion (approx. $27 million), which is equal to 17.8 percent of the country's average monthly ferrous metals production volume.