Global crude steel output up 8.5% in January 2005
Data released by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) show that global crude steel production amounted to 89.8 million metric tons in January 2005, up 8.5% year-on-year. Excluding China, global production rose 3.4% in January 2005. China again shows strong growth with production of 25.1 million metric tons in January 2005. This figure is 24.3% higher than January 2004. Production in the 25 member states of the European Union reached 16.3 million metric tons in January, up 2.3% year-on-year. Italy's crude steel production amounted to 2.5 million metric tons, while Austria produced 646'000 metric tons of crude steel in January. Crude steel production in CIS countries rose 2.3% year-on-year to 9.5 million metric tons in January. Russia's crude steel output amounted to 5.5 million metric tons. In South America, crude steel production remained unchanged at 3.7 million metric tons. Brazil's crude steel production declined 3.2% to 2.6 million metric tons in January.Global crude steel production (in thousands of metric tons) January December January %change 1 month 2005 2004 2004 Jan-05/04 2005 2004 %change Other Europe 2.346 2.357 2.291 2.4 2.346 2.291 2.4 EU (15) 14.332 13.271 13.820 3.7 14.332 13.820 3.7 EU (25) 16.266 15.233 15.894 2.3 16.266 15.894 2.3 C.I.S 9.453 9.304 9.244 2.3 9.453 9.244 2.3 N.America 11.245 10.963 10.668 5.4 11.245 10.668 5.4 S.America 3.684 3.897 3.686 0.0 3.684 3.686 0.0 Africa 1.404 1.461 1.359 3.3 1.404 1.359 3.3 MiddleEast 1.161 1.196 1.082 7.4 1.161 1.082 7.4 Asia 43.518 44.887 37.789 15.2 43.518 37.789 15.2 Ocenia 735 667 736 -0.1 735 736 -0.1 Total 61 89.814 89.964 82.748 8.5 89.814 82.748 8.5 countries