February 2009 crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel

Brussels, 20 March 2009 – World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 84 million metric tons (mmt) in February 2009. This is -22% lower than February 2008. 

Crude steel production showed a continued decrease in nearly all the major-steel producing countries in February 2009 compared to the same month 2008 except Iran and China.

Iran recorded an increase of 15.9% in February 2009 producing 0.9 mmt of crude steel and the Middle East is the only region showing production growth this month. 

China’s crude steel production for February 2009 was 40.4 mmt, an increase of 4.9% on February 2008. Japan produced 5.5 mmt of crude steel in February 2009, down -44.2% compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed a decrease of -24.8% from February 2008, producing 3.2 mmt of crude steel in February 2009. 

In the EU, Germany produced 2.6 mmt of crude steel in February 2009, a decrease of -31.6% from February 2008. Italy’s crude steel production was 1.7 mmt, down -39.9% compared to the same month last year. France showed a decrease of -35.7% from February 2008, producing 1.0 mmt in February 2009. Spain’s crude steel production for February 2009 was 0.9 mmt, - 35.7% less than the same month last year.
 
The US produced 3.8 mmt of crude steel in February 2009, a decrease of -54.2% compared to the same month last year. Brazilian production was 1.7 mmt, -39% less than in February 2008. 
 
Russia showed a -32.1% decrease from February 2008, producing 4.1 mmt of crude steel in February 2009. Ukraine produced 2.3 mmt of crude steel in February, a -33.6% decrease on the same month 2008.
 

 
Notes to Editors:

· 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 18 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.