World crude steel output down 0.3 percent in May 2026
2026-06-25 10:17:11 [Print]
Global crude steel production edged down 0.3 percent year on year in May 2026, totaling 157.9 million metric tons, according to data from the World Steel Association (worldsteel). In the first five months of the year, cumulative output fell 1.5 percent year on year to 773.1 million metric tons.
Regional performances were mixed. Asia and Oceania-the world's largest steel-producing region-saw output dip 0.9 percent to 116.2 million metric tons, weighed down by a 2.7 percent contraction in China, which produced 84.4 million metric tons. Elsewhere in the region, Japan's output rose 1.7 percent to 7.0 million metric tons, India climbed 1.9 percent to 14.1 million metric tons, and South Korea advanced 3.3 percent to 5.4 million metric tons.
In Europe, the EU-27 produced 11.4 million metric tons in May, a slight 0.4 percent decline from a year earlier. Germany, however, posted a robust 7.3 percent increase to 3.2 million metric tons, while Turkey-a major producer outside the EU-surged 8.9 percent to 3.4 million metric tons.
Across the Americas, North American output jumped 15.6 percent year on year to 10.1 million metric tons, with the United States contributing 7.5 million metric tons, up 9.2 percent. South America produced 3.5 million metric tons, a 3.7 percent increase, driven by Brazil's 2.8 million metric tons, which rose 2.4 percent year on year.
Regional performances were mixed. Asia and Oceania-the world's largest steel-producing region-saw output dip 0.9 percent to 116.2 million metric tons, weighed down by a 2.7 percent contraction in China, which produced 84.4 million metric tons. Elsewhere in the region, Japan's output rose 1.7 percent to 7.0 million metric tons, India climbed 1.9 percent to 14.1 million metric tons, and South Korea advanced 3.3 percent to 5.4 million metric tons.
In Europe, the EU-27 produced 11.4 million metric tons in May, a slight 0.4 percent decline from a year earlier. Germany, however, posted a robust 7.3 percent increase to 3.2 million metric tons, while Turkey-a major producer outside the EU-surged 8.9 percent to 3.4 million metric tons.
Across the Americas, North American output jumped 15.6 percent year on year to 10.1 million metric tons, with the United States contributing 7.5 million metric tons, up 9.2 percent. South America produced 3.5 million metric tons, a 3.7 percent increase, driven by Brazil's 2.8 million metric tons, which rose 2.4 percent year on year.
