Steel Products

Worldsteel: Global Steel Output Drops for Third Month
Written by Becca Moczygemba
October 24, 2023
Global steel production dropped in September for a third consecutive month, according to the latest figures from the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
Approximately 149.3 million metric tons of crude steel were produced globally in September. That’s a 2.1% decline from the estimated 152.6 million metric tons produced in August. September’s production was down 1.5% from September 2022.
The strongest production month so far this year was March when global steel production stood at 165.1 million metric tons, 9.6% higher than September.
China produced 82.1 million metric tons last month, making up about 55% of the world’s production. That’s down approximately 5% from August’s 86.4 million metric tons. China produced 5.6% more in September 2022.
Steel production in the rest of the world (RoW) increased 1.5% month over month (MoM) to 67.2 million metric tons in September, according to worldsteel data.

Regionally, output was higher YoY in Russia and other CIS, plus Ukraine with 7.3 million metric tons (+10.7%); and other European countries at 3.5 million metric tons (+2.7%).
Regions experiencing lower year-on production include the Middle East at 3.6 million metric tons (-8.2%); Africa at 1.3 million metric tons (-4.1%); South America at 3.4 million metric tons (-3.7%); Asia and Oceania at 110.7 million metric tons (-2.1%); the EU at 10.6 million metric tons (-1.1%); and North America at 9 million metric tons (-0.3%).

Becca Moczygemba
Read more from Becca MoczygembaLatest in Steel Products

Tariffs, ample domestic supply cause importers to shift or cancel HR import orders
Subdued demand is causing importers to cancel hot-rolled (HR) coil orders and renegotiate the terms of shipments currently enroute to the US, importers say. An executive for a large overseas mill said customers might find it difficult to justify making imports buys after US President Donald Trump doubled the 25% Section 232 tariff on imported steel […]

Drilling activity slows in the US, grows in Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity was mixed this week, according to Baker Hughes. US totals slipped for a sixth straight week, while Canada saw a slight bump in activity.

Commerce finds no Korean OCTG shipments below market value
US Department of Commerce (Commerce) review found no South Korean oil country tubular goods (OCTG) exporters or producers sold products below market value

Drilling activity slows further in US and Canada
Oil and gas drilling activity declined again this week in both the US and Canada, according to Baker Hughes.

SMU Community Chat: Zekelman calls for more support for steel consumers
“Unless the administration actually gets serious about levelling the playing field… for consumers of steel, then everything they've done on the steel side is useless."