According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first seven months of 2010 the country registered a 1.9 percent increase year on year in its crude steel production to about1.547 million metric tons, but a 1.1 percent drop in its rolled steel product (finished) output to 1.417 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, in January-July this year, Belarus' output of steel pipes increased by 70 percent year on year to 95,800 metric tons, including 58,300 metric tons of seamless steel pipes - up 130.8 percent year on year. In addition, the country's steel wire production went up by 21.5 percent to 41,100 metric tons, and its steel cord output increased by 24.7 percent to 51,900 metric tons, both compared to the same period last year.
Compared to June this year, the country's crude steel output in July increased by 1.9 percent, its rolled steel product output went up by 1.4 percent, its steel wire output increased by 18.5 percent, while its steel pipe production decreased by 7.5 percent and its steel cord production went down by 0.3 percent.
As of August 1 this year, Belarus' steelmakers had accumulated 5,300 mt of steel pipes in their warehouses, a figure which equals 44.7 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 August 1 this year amounted to Belarus Ruble 91.9 billion (approx. $30.65 million), which is equal to 20.5 percent of the country's average monthly ferrous metals production volume.