Global raw steel production declined -3.4% or 4,650 million metric tons during June, falling from 136,302 million metric tons in May to 131,652 million metric tons for the most recent month. The result was reported by the World Steel Assn., the Brussels based trade group that represents steelmakers in 64 countries.

World Steel Assn.’s data comprises “raw” steel production, the primary output of electric arc furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces, prior to metallurgical refining and casting into semi-finished products, such as slabs, blooms, or billets. The monthly report totals the global carbon and carbon alloy steel output; stainless steels and other specialty alloy steels are not included.

The June totals appear more favorable in the year-to-year comparison, climbing 1.9% versus the June 2012 result.

Worldwide raw steel capacity utilization during June fell to 79.2% from 79.6% in May. Compared to June 2012, the new rate is 1.5% lower.

For the first six months of 2013 global steel production has totaled 789,796 million metric tons, 2.0% above the comparable result for 2012.

World Steel noted that most recent month’s declines were borne by producers across all regions: the EU (-3.6%); the former Soviet states (-1.4%); North America (-4.3%); and South America (-6.5%).

Asian steel production also decline for the month, by -3.4%, countering the recent trends that have seen steelmakers in China, Japan, and elsewhere in the region offset declines in other parts of the world.