October global crude steel production declines

World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), Brussels, was 151.5 million metric tons in October 2019, or 2.8 percent less than in October 2018.

According to the association, crude steel production in Asia declined across the board in October compared with October 2018. At 81.5 million metric tons, China’s crude steel production for the month decreased 0.6 percent. India produced 9.1 million metric tons of crude steel in October, which was 3.4 percent less than in October 2018. Japan’s October production declined 4.9 percent compared with the prior year to 8.2 million metric tons, while South Korea produced 3.5 percent less crude steel this October at 6 million metric tons.  

Production also trended downward in the European Union, according to Worldsteel. Germany produced 3.3 million metric tons of crude steel in October, which was 6.8 percent less than in October 2018. Italy produced 2.2 million metric tons of crude steel for the month, a 3.7 percent decline from October 2018. France produced 1.2 million metric tons of crude steel, 10.6 percent less than in October 2018. Spain saw its production decline 7.6 percent to 1.2 million metric tons for the month of October.

At 7.4 million metric tons, U.S. crude steel production in October declined 2 percent compared with October 2018.

Crude steel production in Brazil fell 19.4 percent in October relative to October 2018. The country produced 2.6 million metric tons of crude steel last month, Worldsteel reports. 

Turkey’s production declined 15 percent from October 2018, for a total of 2.7 million metric tons of production in October.

According to the association, crude steel production in Ukraine was 1.6 million metric tons in October, a 12.7 percent decline from October 2018.