Crude steel production in China as reported by Worldsteel was 67.4 million metric tonnes in December, 14.9% lower than in December, 2022. Full-year 2023 crude steel production in China was 1,019.1 million tonnes, a 0% rise on full-year 2022.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) rose 50% compared to December last year. Net finished steel exports for the full year 2023 were 46% higher than in 2022.
Worldsteel published December, 2023 and full-year 2023 world crude steel production today. World crude steel output was 135.7 million metric tonnes in December, 2023, 5.3% lower than in December, 2022. Full-year 2023 crude steel production was 1,849.7 million tonnes, 0.1% lower than in full-year 2022.
China produced 1,019 million tonnes of crude steel in 2023, accounting for 55% of world output. China’s production between 2022 and 2023 was flat while production in the rest of the world was -0.2%. Asian output outside of China rose 2.8% over the same period.
Crude steel production in the European Union 27 countries fell 7.4% between 2022 and 2023 with German output -3.9% and Italian production -2.1%. In North America, US production rose 0.2%, Canadian production rose 1.3% and Mexican output fell 11.6%.
Other significant changes in the top ten world producing countries include declines in Japan (-2.5%) and Brazil (-6.5%), but increases in India (+11.8%) and Russia (estimated +5.6%).
Episode 4 of The Green Steel Challenge is out! Sajjan Jindal explains how his company will produce the steel necessary to supply growing steel demand in India, and at the same time, reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. Other episodes will include Giacomo Mareschi Danieli at Danieli Group and André Bier Gerdau Johannpeter at Gerdau. Recordings are ongoing. And don’t miss Mike Walsh and our very own First River partner James Moss as interviewers.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports changed little from 243,000 short tons in December 2022 to 242,000 tons in December 2023. This was mainly because lower rebar imports were offset by higher parallel flange sections imports.
Full-year 2023 long products imports fell 14% compared to full-year 2022 figures, driven mainly by lower wire rod imports from India, Mexico and Malaysia.
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 14% from 649,000 short tons in December, 2022 to 740,000 tons in December, 2023. The increase was mainly due to higher hot rolled imports from South Korea, Brazil and Canada.
Full-year 2023 flat products imports fell 16% compared to full-year 2022 imports, however, driven by lower imports of hot rolled (-14%), hot dip galvanized (-20%), and cold rolled (-26%). In contrast, cut plate imports rose 22% between 2022 and 2023.
Episode 3 of The Green Steel Challenge podcast featuring Dave Stickler at Hybar has been released today. He discusses exactly how Hybar is building a new, advanced technology, low emissions rebar mill.
You’ll also be interested in hearing about their investments in solar power, hydrogen and battery storage. It’s a truly informative and entertaining discussion about how to produce “cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable steel”.
