Steel production in CIS countries recovered in March

Crude steel production in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) increased marginally on an annualized basis in March, according to the latest data released by the World Steel Association. Steel production in the CIS increased by 2.3 percent during March 2016.

Belarus's total crude steel production this year has fallen sharply by 32.9 percent in March to 165,000 tonnes, up from 246,000 tonnes in March 2015. Kazakhstan produced 302,000 tons of crude steel, down 19.9 percent from 377,000 tons in March last year. Moldova recorded 45,000 tons of steel production during the month, significantly increasing it by 28.6 percent over the previous year. Total crude steel production in Russia decreased by 2.0 percent from 6.135 million tonnes in March 2015 to 6.012 million tonnes in March this year.

There was an increase in crude steel production in Ukraine during March. Total crude steel production in Ukraine increased by 28.1 percent to 2.173 million tonnes in March 2016 compared to 1.696 million tonnes in March last year. On the other hand, steel production in Uzbekistan dropped significantly by 21.1 percent during the month.

Cumulative steel production, in thousand tonnes, during the first three months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, in percent: Belarus 468 (-29.1); Kazakhstan 935 (+7.7); Moldova 130 (+136.4); Russia 17224 (-5.2); Ukraine 6082 (+18.0); Uzbekistan 146 (-12.6).