Small Improvement in Steel Output Ex-China

By Jeffrey Landsberg

Global steel production totaled approximately 153.4 million tons in April.  This is down month-on-month by 6.5 million tons (-4%) and is down year-on-year by 2.3 million tons (-2%).  Steel production ex-China totaled approximately 69.8 million tons.  This is down month-on-month by 3.1 million tons (-4%) but is up year-on-year by 100,000 tons.    

Previously, steel production ex-China had contracted on a year-on-year basis for two straight months.  Prior to those two months, steel production ex-China had increased for seven straight months.

Taking India out of the equation, though, production contracted year-on-year by 800,000 tons (-1%).  Steel production ex-Chin/India has now contracted on a year-on-year basis for three straight months.

Indian steel production totaled 13.8 million tons last month.  This is down month-on-month by 1.5 million tons (-10%) but up year-on-year by 900,000 tons (7%).  Production has now grown on a year-on-year basis for thirty-eight straight months.