World crude steel production up 2.2 percent in May

According to the latest statistics released by the World Steel Association, steel production in 65 member countries in May this year was 141.184 million tons, up 2.2 percent from production in the same month the previous year.

The total production of crude steel in the 28 EU countries in May this year was 15.042 million tons, which is 2.7 percent higher than in May 2013. Other European countries smelted 3.173 million tonnes of steel, down 1.6 percent from 3.225 million tonnes in May 2013.

CIS steel production rose 1.9 percent from 9.348 million tons last year to 9.526 million tons in May this year. North American countries' total crude steel production increased 3.3 percent from 9.891 million tonnes in May 2013 to 10.216 million tonnes in May this year.

Total crude steel production in South America fell 4.2 percent in May this year to 3.886 million tonnes. African countries produced 1.366 million tonnes of steel, down 6.0 percent from 1.453 million tonnes achieved during May 2013. Total crude steel production in the Middle East in May of this year was 2.392 million tonnes, up 7.3 percent from an output of 2.229 million tonnes in May 2013.

Asian steel production rose 2.6 percent to 95.146 million tons, up from 92.751 million tons last year. Oceania's total crude steel production fell 10 percent from 0.485 million tonnes in May 2013 to 0.437 million tonnes in May this year.