By Paul Ploumis

ScrapMonster Author

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): According to latest statistics published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by South American region increased significantly during the month of January this year. The total monthly output increased sharply by 11.6% to 3.562 Million tonnes (Mt). Also, North American crude steel output edged higher by 4.0% during the month.

The total crude steel production by Argentina during January 2017 was 291,000 tonnes, down considerably by 11.6% than the January 2016 production of 329,000 tonnes. Brazil produced 2.856 Million tonnes of crude steel, higher by 14.4% when compared to 2.497 Million tonnes production achieved during January last year. The output by Chile declined by nearly 12% to 90,000 tonnes in January this year. The total crude steel production by Colombia dropped by 2.6% to 95,000 tonnes in January this year.

Ecuador’s crude steel output increased significantly by 6.0% on year-on-year basis. The crude steel output by Ecuador was 50,000 tonnes in January this year, as compared with 47,000 tonnes during January last year.  Paraguay’s crude steel output skyrocketed by nearly 341% during the month.

The crude steel output by Peru increased modestly by 63% year-on-year. The crude steel output of Uruguay increased significantly by over 385% when compared with the year before levels. Venezuelan production was up considerably by 28% year-on-year from 55,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes.

The following table provides comparison of crude steel output by each country during Jan ’17 with the output during the prior month.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes

Meantime, the crude steel production by North American countries jumped higher by 4.0% during the month of January 2017 year-on-year. The production totaled 9.444 Mt during the month, as against 9.077 Mt recorded in January 2016.

The total crude steel production by Canada during January this year was 1.005 Mt, down by 11.7% when compared with the January 2016 production. The US produced 6.874 Million tonnes of crude steel, higher by 6.5% when compared to 6.456 Million tonnes production achieved during January 2016. The total crude steel production by Mexico surged higher by 8.4% from 1.393 Mt in January ’16 to 1.510 Mt in January this year.

The Cuban crude steel production increased by nearly 9% year-on-year to 20,000 tonnes. The crude steel output by El Salvador was estimated at 10,000 tonnes in January this year, higher by 21.4% when compared with January last year. Guatemala produced 25,000 tonnes during the month, lower by 6.6% when matched with the production during the same month a year before. The crude steel output by Trinidad & Tobago nosedived to zero in Jan ’17 from 36,000 tonnes during same month the previous year.

The following table provides comparative analysis of crude steel output during Jan ’17 and the month prior to that.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes