Arab Countries’ Crude Steel Output Rises 6.1% in January–August 2025

Arab countries’ crude steel production reached 3.64 million mt in August 2025, recording a growth of 12.7% compared to the same period last year, while total output in the January–August period amounted to 28.26 million mt, up 6.1% year on year, according to the latest data released by the World Steel Association (WorldSteel).

Gulf Region
Gulf countries produced 1.90 million mt in August, up 29.2% year on year, with January–August output totaling 13.99 million mt (+8.5%).
Saudi Arabia led the region with 1.01 million mt in August (+64.1%) and 6.93 million mt in January–August (+11.9%), followed by the UAE (2.47 million mt, +3.2%), Oman (2.0 million mt, -1.2%), and Qatar (1.09 million mt, +35.2%). Bahrain and Kuwait recorded 795,000 mt and 718,000 mt, respectively.

North Africa
North African countries produced 1.46 million mt in August, down slightly by 1.1% year on year, while January–August output rose to 11.98 million mt (+4.5%).
Egypt topped the region with 6.69 million mt despite a 5.6% decline, followed by Algeria with 3.52 million mt (+21.4%), Morocco with 990,000 mt (+5.3%), and Libya with 747,000 mt (+46.1%). Tunisia recorded 38,000 mt (-3.3%).

East Mediterranean
The East Mediterranean region produced 282,000 mt in August (-0.7%), with January–August output at 2.28 million mt (+0.7%).
Iraq led with 2.02 million mt (+1.0%), followed by Jordan at 200,000 mt (stable), and Yemen at 65,000 mt (-5.8%).

Arab Countries
Overall, Arab countries’ crude steel production stood at 28.26 million mt in January–August 2025, up 6.1% year on year. Growth was mainly driven by Gulf producers, while Egypt posted a decline offset by strong gains in Algeria and Libya.