Posted on 01 Aug 2019
The monthly crude steel production by the Middle East region surged higher considerably by over 3% during the month of June this year. This is in accordance with the data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
The regional output totaled 3.108 million tonnes (Mt) in June ‘19, higher by 3.4% when matched with the output of 3.004 Mt in the corresponding month a year before. The increased production by Iran, Qatar and the UAE were partially offset by production decline in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia recorded notable decline in crude steel production. The country’s output was down by 7.5% over the previous year to total around 425,000 tonnes in June this year. The production had totaled 460,000 tonnes during the same month a year before.
Meantime, Iran recorded 6.1% surge in output from 2.040 Mt in June ’18 to 2.165 Mt in June this year. The steel production by Qatar recorded marginal increase by 2.6% from 225,000 tonnes to 231,000 tonnes over the year. The steel output by the UAE too was up by 2.8% at 287,000 tonnes, as compared with 279,000 tonnes in June ’18.
The Jan-June ’19 steel production by the region totaled 18.312 Mt. This compares with 17.557 Mt produced from January to June in 2018. All counties except Qatar recorded increased output over the previous year. Iran continued to be the leading producer in the region with an output of 12.788 Mt. The steel output by other countries is as follows: Saudi Arabia (2.583 Mt), the UAE (1.652 Mt) and Qatar (1.289 Mt).
