World crude steel production decreases by 1.2% in 2008
22 Jan 2009-
Brussels – World crude steel production reached 1,329.7 million metric tons for the year of 2008. This is a decrease of -1.2% compared to 2007. 2008 is the second consecutive year that world steel production has been over 1,300 mmt.
Steel production declined in nearly all the major steel producing countries and regions including the EU, North America, South America and the CIS in 2008. However, Asia, in particular China, and the Middle East showed positive growth in 2008. Worldwide steel production has shown an acceleration of negative growth from September to 2008 year end. World crude steel output for December 2008 recorded a decrease of -24.3% compared to 2007.
China became the first country ever to produce more than 500 mmt in one year. China’s crude steel production in 2008 reached 502 mmt, an increase of 2.6% on 2007. Production volume in China has more than doubled within five years, from 222 mmt in 2002. China’s share of world steel production continued to grow in 2008 producing 38% of world total crude steel.
Asia produced 770 mmt of crude steel in 2008, 58% of world total steel production, 1.9% growth over 2007. South Korea and India recorded increases of 3.8% and 3.7% respectively. Japan produced 118 mmt in 2008, a decrease of -1.2% on 2007.
The EU-27 produced 199 mmt of crude steel in 2008 recording a decrease of -5.3% compared to 2007. Major steel producing countries including Germany, Italy and France recorded reductions.
In 2008, steel production in North America also decreased by -5.5% over 2007. The US produced 91 mmt of crude steel, a decrease of -6.8%.
Overall, the CIS showed a decrease of -8.1% in 2008. Russia produced 69 mmt of crude steel, a -5.4% reduction over 2007 while Ukraine recorded a decrease of -13.1% with year-end figures of 37 mmt.
Figure 2: Share of world crude steel production 2007, 2008
Table 1: Top 10 steel-producing countries
Country
Rank
2008
2007
% 08/07
China
1
502.0
489.2
2.6
Japan
2
118.7
120.2
-1.2
United States
3
91.5
98.2
-6.8
Russia
4
68.5
72.4
-5.4
India
5
55.1
53.1
3.7
South Korea
6
53.5
51.5
3.8
Germany
7
45.8
48.6
-5.6
Ukraine
8
37.1
42.8
-13.4
Brazil
9
33.7
33.8
-0.2
Italy
10
30.5
31.5
-3.4
# ends #
Notes to Editors:
- The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 180 steel producers (including 18 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.
- The monthly crude steel statistics available on worldsteel.org every month show figures from the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel on a monthly basis. The total annual production figures in this press release include other countries that only report annually.
- The PDF file (link below) contains a summary of world crude steel production by region from 2002 to 2008 and a list of the largest steel producing countries of 2008.
- 2008 charts.pdf
