World crude steel production reached 1,607 million tonnes for the year 2013, up by 3.5% compared to 2012. The growth came mainly from Asia and Middle East while crude steel production in all other regions decreased in 2013 compared to 2012.

Annual production for Asia was 1,080.9 million tonnes of crude steel in 2013, an increase of 6.0% compared to 2012. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 65.7% in 2012 to 67.3% in 2013. China’s crude steel production in 2013 reached 779.0 million tonnes, an increase of 7.5% on 2012. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 46.7% in 2012 to 48.5% in 2013. Japan produced 110.6 million tonnes in 2013, a 3.1% increase from 2012. South Korea’s crude steel production was 66.0 million tonnes, a decrease of -4.4% compared to 2012.

The EU recorded a decrease of -1.8% compared to 2012, producing 165.6 million tonnes of crude steel in 2013. Germany produced 42.6 million tonnes of crude steel in 2013, remaining at the same production level as 2012. Italy produced 24.1 million tonnes in 2013, a -11.7% decrease over 2012. France’s crude steel production in 2013 was 15.7 million tonnes, an increase of 0.5%. Spain produced 13.7 million tonnes of crude steel in 2013, a 0.7% increase on 2012.

In 2013, crude steel production in North America was 119.3 million tonnes, a decrease of -1.9% on 2012. The US produced 87.0 million tonnes of crude steel, down by -2.0% compared to 2012.

The CIS showed a decrease of -1.8% in 2013, producing 108.9 million tonnes of crude steel. Russia produced 69.4 million tonnes of crude steel, a decrease of -1.5% on 2012 and Ukraine recorded a decrease of -0.5% with a year-end figure of 32.8 million tonnes.

Annual crude steel production for South America was 46.0 million tonnes in 2013, a decrease of -0.8% on 2012. Brazil produced 34.2 million tonnes in 2013, down by -1.0% compared to 2012.