According to the latest data from the World Steel Association, the Middle East witnessed a 3pct growth in crude steel production during the first half of 2023, reaching a total of 23 mln tons compared to the same period last year. In June, the region experienced a significant increase of 9.4pct YoY, with a total output of 4.2 mln tons. The Middle East’s steel production data includes countries such as Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Similarly, Africa’s steel production, encompassing countries like Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and South Africa, displayed growth of 4.1pct YoY from January to June 2023, resulting in a total output of 7.6 mln tons. The positive trend continued in June, with an 11.5pct YoY increase and an output of 1.3 mln tons.
Iran advanced to the eighth position among the largest steel-producing countries. The country’s crude steel output grew by 4.8pct in H1 2023 and by 17.4pct in June 2023, reaching 16.1 mln tons and 3.2 mln tons, respectively. The country’s crude steel output grew by 4.8pct in H1 2023 and by 17.4pct in June 2023, reaching 16.1 mln tons and 3.2 mln tons, respectively.
On the other hand, Turkey dropped to the tenth position among the largest steel-producing countries in H1 2023. The country faced a significant decline in crude steel output of 16.3pct compared to the previous year, amounting to 15.9 mln tons. In June, Turkish steel output dropped by 1.5pct YoY, reaching 2.9 mln tons.
Globally, crude steel production witnessed a slight decrease of 1.1pct YoY from January to June 2023, totaling 943.9 mln tons. However, Chinese steel output showed growth with a 1.3pct increase compared to the previous year, reaching 535.6 mln tons. Similarly, Indian steel production rose by 7.4pct YoY, reaching 67.9 mln tons.
In June 2023, global crude steel production decreased slightly by 0.1pct YoY, resulting in a total output of 158.8 mln tons.
