By Anil Mathews (ScrapMonster Author)

March 01, 2016 01:20:30 AM

ABU DHABI (Scrap Monster): According to most recent data published by the World Steel Association (World Steel), the crude steel production by the Middle East region dropped sharply by 11.3% during the month of January ’16 year-on-year. The region’s crude steel output totaled 2.061 Million tonnes during January this year, as compared with 2.324 Million tonnes during the same month a year before.

The total crude steel production by Iran during January was 1.300 Million tonnes, considerably down by 4.8% in comparison with the January 2015 production of 1.366 Million tonnes. Qatar produced 200,000 tonnes of crude steel, sharply higher by 13.6% when compared to 176,000 tonnes production achieved during January 2015. Meantime, Saudi Arabia’s crude steel output dropped sharply over the previous year to 280,000 tonnes during January this year. The total crude steel production by the UAE during January was 281,000 tonnes, modestly higher by 25.4% in comparison with the January 2015 production of 224,000 tonnes.

The following table provides crude steel output for Jan ’16 in comparison with those during same month in 2015.

 (Note: Output in thousands of tonnes)