【Blast Furnace】 Iron Production Declines by 1.4% Globally in Q1 2024

According to statistics from the World Steel Association, the production of blast furnace iron in 37 countries and regions amounted to 318 million tons in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 1.4% decrease compared to the previous year.In 2023, these 37 countries and regions accounted for 98.25% of global production. Graphite electrode material is an important material for short process electric furnace steelmaking, with complete specifications.

In Asia, blast furnace iron production fell by 2.1% to 265 million tons. Specifically, China's production dropped by 2.9% to 213 million tons, while India saw a 3.4% increase to 22.435 million tons. Japan's production decreased by 1.8% to 15.393 million tons, and South Korea's production slightly rose by 0.9% to 10.995 million tons.

In the EU27, blast furnace iron production remained largely stable at 16.778 million tons. Germany's production rose by 4.8% to 6.309 million tons, France's production decreased by 5.0% to 1.572 million tons, Austria saw a 4.1% increase to 1.474 million tons, the Netherlands decreased by 6.6% to 1.241 million tons, Poland grew by 3.6% to 822,000 tons, and Czechia's production dropped by 36.4% to 498,000 tons. Other European countries saw a 29.7% increase in production to 3.862 million tons, including Turkey, which saw a significant increase of 62.0% to 2.627 million tons, while the UK's production fell by 10.7% to 996,000 tons.

Production in Russia, other CIS countries, and Ukraine amounted to 15.438 million tons, a 1.3% increase. Russia's production slightly decreased by 1.5% to 13.190 million tons, Ukraine's dropped by 32.1% to 1.589 million tons, and Kazakhstan's rose by 2.3% to 660,000 tons.

North America's production is estimated to have decreased by 1.8% to 6.625 million tons. South America saw a 1.8% increase to 7.196 million tons, with Brazil's production rising by 2.4% to 6.537 million tons and Argentina's dropping significantly by 17.0% to 430,000 tons.

South Africa's production increased by 8.9% to 729,000 tons. In the Middle East, Iran's production rose by 18.9% to 880,000 tons. Oceania experienced a 6.6% decline to 924,000 tons.

For direct reduced iron, the production in 13 surveyed countries reached 28.096 million tons in the first quarter, a 7.4% increase from the previous year. In 2023, these countries accounted for 91.42% of the total global production. India's production notably increased by 17.1% to 13.295 million tons; Iran's production slightly declined by 1.0% to 5.308 million tons; Russia's production rose by 8.1% to 2.051 million tons; Saudi Arabia's production marginally dropped by 0.6% to 1.757 million tons; Egypt's production increased by 6.6% to 1.699 million tons; Mexico's production grew by 2.1% to 1.470 million tons; the UAE's production decreased by 9.5% to 825,000 tons; Libya's production fell by 7.1% to 411,000 tons; Qatar's production rose by 2.4% to 447,000 tons; Canada's production increased by 6.7% to 418,000 tons; Argentina's production significantly decreased by 30.7% to 306,000 tons; Venezuela's production decreased by 3.7% to 62,000 tons; and South Africa's production decreased by 10.7% to 48,000 tons. Contact us for future information on blast furnace ironmaking.