March 2010 Crude Steel Production

World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 120 million metric tons (mmt) in March. This is 30.6% higher than March 2009.

In the first three months of 2010 Asia produced 219 mmt of crude steel, an increase of 27% over the first quarter of 2009. The EU produced 42 mmt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2010, up by 37% compared to the same quarter of 2009. North America showed an increase of 53.8%, producing 27 mmt of crude steel during the first three months of 2010.

China’s crude steel production for March 2010 was 55 mmt, an increase of 22.5% on March 2009. Japan produced 9.3 mmt of crude steel in March 2010, up 62.8% compared to the same month last year. India’s crude steel production for March 2010 was 5.5 mmt, 9.2% up compared to the same month last year. South Korea produced 4.8 mmt of crude steel in March 2010, 29.6% higher than March 2009.

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for March 2010 was 4.0 mmt, an increase of 91.5% compared to March 2009. Italy produced 2.4 mmt, 43.5% higher than the same month in 2009. Spain produced 1.6 mmt of crude steel in March 2010, an increase of 33% on March 2009.

Russia’s crude steel in March 2010 was 5.5 mmt, 19.6% higher than the same month 2009. In March 2010, Ukraine produced 3.0 mmt, an increase of 25.8% compared to March 2009.

Turkey produced 2.2 mmt of crude steel in March 2010, a 19.7% increase over the same month in 2009.

The US produced 6.9 mmt of crude steel in March 2010, an increase of 74.2% compared to March 2009.

Brazilian crude steel production was 2.8 mmt, 63.4% higher than March 2009.

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in March 2010 was 80.2%, no change from February 2010. Compared to March 2009, the utilisation ratio in March 2010 increased by 15.3 percentage points.

# Ends #

Notes to Editors:

• 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 180 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.