World Steel Production Jumps in February

World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reached 108 million metric tons in February, a 24.2 percent increase from the same time last year.

In the Asian market, China’s crude steel production for the month was 50.4 million metric tons, a 22.5 percent increase from the same time last year. Japan produced 8.4 million metric tons of crude steel in February, a 54 percent jump from the same month last year. South Korea also posted an increase for the month, with this February’s total of 3.9 million metric tons, a 25 percent increase from last February.

In the European Union countries, Germany’s crude steel production for February was 3.4 million metric tons, an increase of 34.3 percent compared to February 2009. Italy produced 2.2 million metric tons, 28.5 percent higher than the same month in 2009. Spain produced 1.3 million metric tons of crude steel in February 2010, an increase of 35.8 percent on February 2009. France’s crude steel production was 1.1 million metric tons, up 10 percent compared to the same month last year.

Turkey produced 1.8 million metric tons of crude steel in February 2010, a 1.6 percent increase over the same month in 2009.

Worldsteel reports that the United States produced 6.0 million metric tons of steel in February 2010, an increase of 51.3 percent compared to February 2009.

Brazilian crude steel production was 2.4 million metric tons, 47.9 percent higher than February 2009.

Iran produced 1.0 million metric tons of crude steel in February 2010, an increase of 3.3 percent on February 2009. Egypt’s crude steel production for February 2010 was 0.4 million metric tons, 10.6 percent higher than the same month last year.

Australia produced 0.5 million metric tons of crude steel in February 2010, recording an 89.6 percent increase over the same month in 2009.

The world crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 66 countries in February 2010 was 79.8 percent, up 12 percent from February 2009, and the highest operating rate since September 2008.

To view a list of production totals on a country-by-country basis, click here -- Global Steel Production.