Asia

Crude Steel Production ; Trade in Steel

The drive to industrialisation in Asia has made it the region with the world’s highest steel production and highest steel demand. ISSB holds trade data at 6 digit HS tariff level for the dominant Asian steel nations: China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, whom together produce 99.5% of the regions steel. Additionally with export coverage of 97% of steel production globally ISSB is ideally placed to assess the market for steel in those Asian countries for which national trade data is not readily available, such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan.

Crude Steel Production

The development of Chinese steel production dominates both Asian and Global steel output. China accounted for just 39% of Asia’s crude steel production in 2000 which had risen to 71% by 2009 as Chinese production increased 340% over the period. In comparison Indian production increased by 110% between 2000 and 2009 while the average increase within Asia excluding China was just 11%.
In 2000 Asia as a whole accounted for 39% of global crude steel production with China accounting for 15%. In 2009 China accounted for 47% of the global total on its own with Asia as a whole accounting for 65%.
Below we summarise World Steel Association crude steel production data for Asia.

Trade in Steel

Asia contains some of the worlds largest steel exporting and importing nations.
Chinese steel exports have dominated headlines in recent years, not just because of the total tonnages being exported, but also due to their volatility. With Chinese production levels so high even small changes in the proportion going to the domestic market can create export surges with serious implications for markets elsewhere. Chinese exports fell 61% in 2009 while imports rose 43% leaving China a small net importer of steel for the year compared with a net exporter of 48 million tonnes in 2007 and 41 million tonnes in 2008. Current data for 2010 suggests that we might again see spikes in exports as experienced in 2007 and 2008.

Compared to China, Japanese steel exports tend to be much steadier over time. With exports in 2009 down just 11% Japan became, once again the world largest steel exporter with exports by the other leading exporting nations falling further..

In 2009 South Korea was the worlds 3rd largest steel importer and 6th largest steel exporter. With the global recession South Korean imports fell by more than exports with the result that it temporarily became a net importer of steel. 2010 has seen imports increase sharply and South Korea is currently the world’s largest steel importer.

In addition to China, Japan and South Korea ISSB holds national trade data from the other major steel producing nations in Asia : India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

Given our coverage which includes exports by countries producing 99.5% the steel in Asia and of 97% of steel produced globally ISSB are excellently placed to assess the markets for steel in countries, such as Vietnam, where national trade statistics are not readily available.

If you want top know more about the exports and imports of steel and steel-making raw materials by countries in Asia please contact or use our NEW on-line Trade Enquiry System.