World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 108 million metric tons (mmt) in February. Compared to the same month in 2009, February 2010 crude steel production showed a continued increase (+ 24.2%) in all the major–steel producing countries.

China’s crude steel production for February 2010 was 50.4 mmt, an increase of 22.5% on February 2009. Japan produced 8.4 mmt of crude steel in February 2010, up 54% compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed an increase of 25% from February 2009, producing 3.9 mmt of crude steel in February 2010.

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

---