October 2012 global crude steel production up just 1.3%

World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 126Mt in October 2012, an increase of 1.3% compared to October 2011.

China’s crude steel production for October 2012 was 59.1Mt, up 6.0% compared to October 2011. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.8Mt of crude steel in October 2012, a decrease of -6.7% compared to the same month last year.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.7Mt of crude steel in October 2012, a slight increase of 0.3% on October 2011. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.4Mt, down by -10.4% compared to October 2011. France produced 1.3Mt in October, a decrease of -7.2% on October 2011. Spain produced 1. -15.6% lower than October 2011.

Turkey’s crude steel production in October was 2.9Mt, a decrease of -6.9% compared to October 2011.

US production at 6.9Mt was also, down -3.3% compared with October 2011.

Brazil increased output of crude steel in October reaching 3.2Mt, an increase of 7.7% compared to October 2011.

The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association in October 2012 declined to 76.5% from 77.7% in September 2012.  Compared to October 2011, it is 1.4% lower.