Ukraine cuts steel output by 5% YoY in January to August 2012

Ukrainian crude steel production fell by 5% YoY in January to August to 22.01 million tons.
Mr. Vasily Kharakhulakh, general director of the Metallurgprom association, said roll production fell by 7% to 19.681 million tons and pig iron output was flat at 19.083 million tons.
He said he thought Ukraine would produce roughly as much steel as last year in 2012 because there were no signs of growth in the markets. He added that “We shouldn’t expect significant changes in the steel market before the end of the year. There has been some price growth for long products and a drop for flat products, but no real fluctuations”.
Steel mills received 376,000 tons of scrap, or 84% of their requirement in August, and 3.322 million tons, or 85% in 8 months. Scrap metal stockpiles fell by 20,000 tons during August to 130,000 tons.
As of September 1st, 26 of the country’s 36 blast furnaces, 12 of 16 open-hearth furnaces and 7 of 15 electric furnaces were operating. Average daily pig iron output in the first 10 days of September was 75,300 tons, 85,600 tons of crude steel and 68,800 tons of roll.
Ukraine plans to produce 2.64 million tons of crude steel, 2.37 million tons of roll and 2.3 million tons of pig iron in September and 2.59 million tons, 2.37 million tons and 2.34 million tons respectively in October. (Kyivpost)