June 2005

• Shipments of rolled steel products dropped by 5.5% to 1,155,128 metric tonnes in June (the lowest level since February) as a result of a decline in shipments to foreign countries, including the United States. Total domestic shipments were relatively unchanged at 867,551 tonnes.
• Steel pipe and tube production increased 2.3% reaching 244,105 metric tones, after having experienced a 2.2% decline in May 2005. The increase in June was due to an increase in the production of oilwell tubing (including coupling) and hollow structural sections despite a continued decline in the production of oil country casing (including coupling).