China accounted for 52% of world output in February with production of 74.8 million tonnes, 5.0% higher than in February 2019. Asian output outside of China rose 3.1%, with a significant 24.4% rise in Vietnam. European Union production (including the UK for now) fell 9.0% following a 12.0% decline in Germany, a 21.6% drop in Poland, and a 23.9% fall in Belgium.
In the Americas, US output rose 3.0%, Mexican production fell 19.3% and Canadian output dropped 2.5%. In addition, Turkish crude steel production rose 8.2% and Iranian output was up 34.3%.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 0.2% from 248,000 short tons in February 2019 to 249,000 tons in February this year. A decline in wire rod, rebar, and all other structural shapes imports was offset by an increase in parallel flange sections and structural angles and channels imports.
Based on January imports and February import licenses, long products imports so far this year were 16% lower than in the same period last year with the largest import volume decline coming from wire rod.
SIMA US long products import licenses
January 2014 to February 2020
Short tons
Stack of finished steel wire rod coils in storage at Badische Stahlwerke, Kehl from Worldsteel Image Library by worldsteel / Gregor Schlaeger
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 84.3 million metric tonnes in January, 7.2% higher than in January 2019. In addition, data from the General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in January and February at 5.8 million tonnes, 34% lower than in January and February last year.
China monthly crude steel production
Thousand metric tonnes
“Chinese (Mainland China): GK1 diesel locomotive towed torpedo tanker purchased by Magang Group” from Wikimedia Commons by DF7C5200 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports dropped 12% from 622,000 short tons in February 2019 to 545,000 tons in February this year. The decline was mainly due to lower cold rolled imports from Australia, Mexico and Vietnam, as well as lower cut plate imports from Ukraine, South Korea and Bulgaria.
Based on January imports and February import licenses, flat products imports so far this year were 17% lower than in the same period last year with the largest import volume decline coming from hot roll and cut plate.
SIMA US flat products import licenses
January 2014 to February 2020
Short tons
Handling at NLMK Indiana (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library by worldsteel / Jeff Swensen
China accounted for 55% of world output in January with production of 84.3 million tonnes, 7.2% higher than in January 2019. Asian output outside of China fell 4.2% following declines in South Korea (-8.0%), India (-3.2%), Taiwan (-14.6%), and Vietnam (-12.4%). European Union production (including UK for now) fell 12.0% due to lower production from Germany (-17.7%), Spain (-34.0%), and Poland (-24.2%).
In the Americas, US output rose 2.5%, Mexican production fell 15.9%, Canadian production fell 6.5%, and Brazilian output declined 11.1%. Other significant production changes around the world include increases in Turkey (+17.3%) and Iran (+46.9%), and a decline in Russia (-4.1%).
Steel trains at Splott Junction, Cardiff, heading for Celsa steelworks. Image from Wikimedia Commons licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license by Gareth James / Steel trains at Splott Junction
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports fell 25% from 367,000 short tons in January 2019 to 276,000 tons in January 2020. The decline was mainly due to lower wire rod imports from Germany, Brazil, Egypt and Greece.
Compared to December 2019 imports of 154,000 tons, January 2020 import licenses rose 79% to 276,000 tons, due mainly to higher rebar licenses from Turkey and Portugal.
SIMA US long products import licenses
January 2014 to January 2020
Short tons
“Workers placing rebar (concrete reinforcing) for the South River Pump Station in West Sacramento, California.”, 2005, from Wikimedia Commons by Argyriou at English Wikipedia / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)
