U.S. steel production fell 10.5 percent in 2015

North American production fell 8.6 percent during 2015 to 110.733 million tonnes for the year, up from 121.159 million tonnes in 2014, according to the latest data released by the World Steel Association. At the same time, in the USA, the largest producer of the region, the reduction in steel output was even lower and amounted to 10.5 percent.

In addition, the region's steel production declined sharply, by 13.4 percent, during December 2015 at an annualized level. Production was 8.615 million tonnes in December last year, up from 9.947 million tonnes recorded in December 2014.

Total crude steel production in Canada in December 2015 was 1.050 million tonnes, down 4.9 percent from December 2014 production. The United States produced 6.035 million tonnes of steel, significantly down 16.3 percent from the 7.210 million tonnes achieved in December 2014. Mexico's total crude steel production was 1.420 million tonnes in December last year, down 6.5 percent from 1.518 million tonnes in December 2014.

Cuba's steel production increased 4.4 percent year on year to 25,000 tonnes. El Salvador's steel output is estimated at 10,000 tonnes in December this year, Guatemala's 40,000 tonnes. Trinidad and Tobago's steel production fell 4.4 percent in December last year to 35,000 tonnes from 37,000 tonnes in the same month the previous year.

Aggregate steel production, in thousand tons, for the entire 2015 compared to 2014, in percent, in North America: Canada - 12453 (-2.2); Cuba - 275 (+7.3); El Salvador - 118 (-2.9); Guatemala - 398 (+0.9); Mexico - 18261 (-3.9); Trinidad and Tobago - 487 (-36.1); USA - 78916 (-10.5).