World crude steel production was still strong last month.
According to figures from the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association output was 121.65 million tonnes (mmt, million metric tonnes) in April, down 0.4% from March.
But it was also 35.7% higher than in April of last year when production was still recovering.
Importantly, the world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in April was 83.4%, the highest since the slump started in August 2008.
Compared to April 2009, the utilisation ratio in April 2010 was up by a strong 18.9 percentage points.
That indicates steel makers are bringing on more capacity, or ramping up productivity from facilities already operating.
China’s crude steel production for April 2010 was 55.4 mmt, up 27% from April 2009 and 0.8% from the March figure of 54.98 million tonnes.
It is the highest amount of crude steel China has ever produced in a single month.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.0 mmt of crude steel in April 2010, up 56.7% compared to the same month last year.
South Korea’s crude steel production for April 2010 was 4.8 mmt, 22.9% up compared to the same month last year.
China, Japan and South Korea are the top three destinations for Australian iron ore and coking coal (of all types).
In Europe, Germany’s crude steel production for April 2010 was 3.9 mmt, an increase of 107.2% on April 2009.
German production was down from March’s 4.02 million tonnes.
Italy produced 2.4 mmt, 57.9% higher than the same month in 2009.
Spain produced 1.6 mmt of crude steel in April 2010, up of 36% compared to April 2009.
Russia’s crude steel in April 2010 was 5.6 mmt, 28.9% higher than the same month 2009.
In April 2010, Ukraine produced 3.0 mmt of crude steel in April 2010, an increase of 39% compared to April 2009.
Turkey produced 2.4 mmt of crude steel in April 2010, a 21.5% increase over the same month in 2009.
The US produced 6.8 mmt of crude steel in April 2010, an increase of 79.4% compared to April 2009.
US output in April was down from March’s 7.11 million tonnes.
Brazilian crude steel production was 2.7 mmt, 56.6% higher than April 2009.
Australian production in April was 574,000 tonnes, down from March’s 610,000 tonnes.
