Brussels - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 89 million metric tons (mmt) in November. This is 19% lower than the same month last year.

Total world crude steel production was 1,224.6 mmt in the first 11 months of 2008, a 0.9% increase over the same period in 2007.

China’s crude steel production for November 2008 was 35.2 mmt, a decrease of -12.4% on November 2007. In the first 11 months of 2008, China produced 463 mmt of crude steel, an increase of 2.6% compared to the same period in 2007.

Overall, Asia produced 54.1 mmt of crude steel in November 2008 compared to 61 mmt in November 2007, a -11.4% decrease in crude steel production. Japanese production was 8.8 mmt, down by -12.9 % compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed a decrease of - 9 % in November 2008, producing 3.9 mmt of crude steel.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.3 mmt of crude steel in November 2008, a decrease of -18.5 % from November 2007. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.3 mmt, down by -16.5 % compared to the same month last year. France showed a decrease of -29.1 % from November 2007, producing 1.0 mmt in November 2008.

In the CIS, 5.8 mmt of crude steel was produced, a decrease of -43.1% compared to the same month last year. Russia produced 3.7 mmt, -36.5% less than in November 2007 and Ukraine produced 1.6 mmt, a decrease of -54.9%.

South America crude steel production in November was 3.4 mmt, a -17.8% decrease compared to November 2007.

Source: International Iron and Steel Institute, December 18, 2008