According to the data released by Belarus' National Statistical Committee, in the first five months of 2009 the country registered a 0.8 percent increase in its crude steel production, a 3.8 percent rise in its finished steel product output, but a 48.8 percent decrease in its steel pipe output year on year. The respective figures in metric tons were 1.135 million, 1.68 million and 38,800.
During the period in question, Belarus' output of wire rod went down by 20.8 percent to 29,900 mt, while its steel cord production decreased by 11.5 percent to 35,600 mt, both compared with January-May 2008.