Global steel production flat in June

The most recent figures from the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), Brussels, show that for June steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the association stands at 136 million tonnes, unchanged from the same time last year.

While production was flat for June, for the first six months of the year global steel production declined by 1.9% compared with the same time last year. For 2016, the six-month production total stands at 794.8 million tonnes, the association reports.

Production figures for the first six months in most regions of the world declined, with CIS countries (Russia and countries formerly a part of the Soviet Union) and European countries outside the European Union the only bright spots, according to the trade association. 

China, far and away the largest steel producer in the world, saw steel production for June improve by 1.7% compared with the same time last year. However, for the first six months of the year, steel production in China declined by 1.1% compared with the same time last year.

Conversely, according to Wordsteel figures, steel production in the United States posted a 0.1% drop for June, but the U.S. saw steel production increase by 0.2% for the first six months of the year.

India's steel production increased 3.9% to 7.79 million tonnes for June and was up 2.7% to 46.38 million tonnes over the first six months.

Japan's production was up 2.7% to 8.76 million tonnes for June, though its production for the first six months of 2016 declined 1.1%  to 52.04 million tonnes, Worldsteel reports. 

To view the June and January-June steel production figures, click here.