August 2009 crude steel production

World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 106.5 million metric tonnes (mmt) in August. This is -5.5% lower than August 2008. World crude steel production has continued to show a steady increase since April 2009. China's crude steel production for August 2009 was 52.3mmt, 22.0% higher than August 2008. It is the highest amount of crude steel China has ever produced in a month. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.3mmt of crude steel in August 2009, down by -18.3% compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed a decline of -5.4% from August 2008, producing 4.2mmt of crude steel in August 2009. In the EU, Germany's crude steel production was 3mmt in August 2009, a decrease of -26.0% from August 2008. Spain produced 1.1mmt in August 2009, down by -35.2% from August 2008. Turkey produced 2.3mmt of crude steel in August 2009, -9.1% down from August 2008. The U.S. produced 5.2mmt of crude steel in August 2009, a decrease of -40.0% compared to the same month last year. Brazil produced 2.6mmt of crude steel in August 2009, -15.0% lower than August 2008. Iran produced 0.9mmt of crude steel in August 2009, 15.2% more than in August 2008. In August, almost all the major steel-producing countries - including China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, the U.S. and Brazil - have shown their highest monthly figures so far this year. Total crude steel production in the 66 reporting countries for the first eight months of 2009 was 759.5mmt, a -18.1% decrease over the same period of 2008.Buty Niemowl?ce