CANBERRA (Scrap Monster): According to latest data published by World Steel Association, the crude steel production by Oceania region dropped sharply by 11.0% during the month of March ’15 year-on-year. The total output by the region declined from 489,000 tonnes in March last year to 435,000 tonnes during Mar ’15.

 

The total crude steel production by Australia during March this year was 365,000 tonnes, down 12.5% when compared with the production of 417,000 tonnes during same month a year ago. New Zealand produced 70,000 tonnes of crude steel, lower by 2.3% when compared with the production of 72,000 tonnes achieved during March last year.

 

The total crude steel production by Australia during February this year was 402,000 tonnes, up 0.4% when compared with the production of 400,000 tonnes during same month a year ago. New Zealand produced 65,000 tonnes of crude steel, lower by 5.4% when compared with the production of 69,000 tonnes achieved during February last year.

 

The following table provides country-wise cumulative crude steel output for the first three months in 2015 in comparison with those during same period in 2014.

Country	3 months (2015)	3 months (2014)	% Change
Australia	1,189	1,156	+2.9
New Zealand	215	218	-1.5

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes