Worldsteel published June’s world crude steel production today. World crude steel output was 151.4 million metric tonnes, 5.8% higher than in June 2017. Crude steel production in the first six months of 2018 was 4.7% higher than in the same period last year.
China accounted for 53% of world output in June with production of 80.2 million tonnes, 7.5% higher than in June 2017. Asian output outside of China grew 5.2% following increases in India (+7.4%), Japan (+4.2%), South Korea (+3.2%), and Vietnam (+42.3%). European Union production rose 1.3%, though a 27.7% decline in Austria offset a 4.6% rise in Germany. In the NAFTA region, US output rose 0.8%, but Mexican production fell 0.8% and Canadian steel output fell 12.1%. Other notable changes compared to June 2017 include crude production increases of 8.9% in Russia and 16.5% in Iran.
Photo by Vincent Maurin [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 51% from 432,000 short tons in May to 211,000 tons in June. Licenses show imports down for every product category, with the largest volumes down for rebar and wire rod. Rebar import licenses were down significantly from Turkey, Italy, and Portugal while wire rod import licenses fell heavily from Germany and Canada.
Long products imports in the first six months of 2018 were 29% lower than in the same period last year, led by a 35% drop in wire rod imports and a 31% fall in rebar imports.
SIMA US long products import licenses
2012 to 2018
short tons
Photo by Technyck [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
In celebration of the French Bastille Day holdiay (& steel) tomorrow, we’re sharing our profile of the French steel industry. Just click on the image below to see and download the full PDF report.
This profile “superbe” was designed in our Steel Data Room. The underlying data will automatically update when the newest data is published. So when the new Worldsteel Steel Statistical Yearboook comes out, voilà! You have the newest French steel industry profile ready to go. Check it out with a free trial.
Joyeux 14 Juillet à tous!
Based on reported import licenses, US flat steel products imports fell 16% from 911,000 short tons in May to 769,000 tons in June. The biggest volume decline came from hot rolled imports, with product from Canada showing a steep drop, particularly in plate in coil.
Flat products imports in the first six months of 2018 were 2% lower than in the same period last year, with declines in cold roll imports (-19%) and hot dip galvanized imports (-13%) offsetting an increase in hot rolled imports (+24%).
SIMA US flat products import licenses
January 2013 to June 2018
short tons
Production process of heavy plates at NLMK DanSteel (NLMK Group)
Photo from Worldsteel Association Image Library by worldsteel / Robert Kolykhalov, Image Ref. worldsteel_NLMK_denmark_coating-and-finishing_1.jpg
In celebration of Independence Day (& steel) in the US tomorrow, we’re sharing our profile of the US steel industry. Just click on the image below to see and download the full PDF report.
This impressive profile was made in our Steel Data Room. The underlying data will automatically update when new data is released from sources such as Worldsteel‘s Steel Statistical Yearbook. If you like it, see what great-looking steel industry charts you can create yourself by registering for a free Steel Data Room trial.
And enjoy those fireworks!
Worldsteel reported Chinese crude steel production at 81.1 million metric tonnes in May, 8.9% higher than in May 2017. Chinese output over the first five months of 2018 was 6.0% higher than in the same period last year.
Chinese net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in May were 5.7 million tonnes, 2.1% lower than in May 2017. Net exports in the first five months of 2018 were 19.7% lower than in the first five months of 2018.
China monthly crude steel production
January 2006 to May 2018, thousand metric tonnes
Photo by Federico Mazzini [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
