Brussels, 21 May 2013 – World crude steel production for the 63 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 132 million tonnes (Mt) in April 2013, an increase of 1.2% compared to April 2012.
China’s crude steel production for April 2013 was 65.7 Mt, up by 6.8% compared to April 2012. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.2 Mt of crude steel in April 2013, up by 1.0% over April 2012. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.5 Mt in April 2013, down by -6.3% compared to the same month last year.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.7 Mt of crude steel in April 2013, down by -0.9% on April 2012. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.1 Mt, a decrease of -11.6% compared to April 2012. Spain produced 1.4 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 10.3% compared to April 2012. France’s crude steel production was 1.2 Mt, down by -12.3% on April 2012.
Turkey’s crude steel production for April 2013 was 2.9 Mt, a decrease of -0.7% compared to April 2012.
The US produced 7.3 Mt of crude steel in April 2013, down by -7.3% on April 2012.
In April 2013, Russia produced 5.6 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -4.3% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for April 2013 was 2.7 Mt, -8.4% less than April 2012.
Brazil produced 3.0 Mt of crude steel production in April 2013, a decrease of -1.6% compared to the same month last year.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 63 countries in April 2013 rose to 80.0% from 79.1% in March 2013. Compared to April 2012, it is -2.0 percentage points lower.
Note
• The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production and capacity information available at worldsteel. The capacity information is based on publicly-available data, updated twice a year and verified through worldsteel’s membership.
• The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 170 steel producers (including 16 of the world’s 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.
• Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.