March 2021 crude steel production

22 April 2021 Brussels, Belgium

World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 169.2 million tonnes (Mt) in March 2021, a 15.2% increase compared to March 2020.

Crude steel production by region

Global crude steel production was 486.9 Mt in the first three months of 2021, up by 10.0% compared to the same period in 2020.

Asia and Oceania produced 356.9 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 13.2% over the first quarter of 2020.

The EU (27) produced 37.8 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2021, up by 3.1% compared to the same quarter of 2020.

North America’s crude steel production in the first three months of 2021 was 28.1 Mt, a decrease of 5.2% compared to the first quarter of 2020.

The CIS produced 26.2 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 3.1% over the first quarter of 2020.

Table 1. Crude steel production by region
Mar 2021 (Mt)% change Mar 21/20Jan-Mar 2021 (Mt)% change Jan-Mar 21/20
Africa1.525.93.93.4
Asia and Oceania123.817.6356.913.2
CIS9.17.026.23.1
EU (27)13.617.537.83.1
Europe, Other4.410.512.68.3
Middle East3.66.610.53.2
North America9.70.128.1-5.2
South America3.68.110.97.1
Total 64 countries169.215.2486.910.0

The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2020. Regions and countries covered by the table:

  • Africa: Egypt, Libya, South Africa
  • Asia and Oceania: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Vietnam
  • CIS: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
  • European Union (27)
  • Europe, Other: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, United Kingdom
  • Middle East: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
  • North America: Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States
  • South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Top 10 steel-producing countries

China produced 94.0 Mt in March 2021, up 19.1% on March 2020. India produced 10.0 Mt, up 23.9%. Japan produced 8.3 Mt, up 4.6%. The United States produced 7.1 Mt, up 1.0%. Russia is estimated to have produced 6.6 Mt, up 9.4%. South Korea produced 6.1 Mt, up 4.7%. Germany is estimated to have produced 3.6 Mt, up 10.4%. Turkey produced 3.4 Mt, up 9.2%. Brazil produced 2.8 Mt, up 4.1%. Iran is estimated to have produced 2.6 Mt, up 10.7%.

Table 2. Top 10 steel-producing countries
Mar 2021 (Mt)% change Mar 21/20Jan-Mar 2021 (Mt)% change Jan-Mar 21/20
China94.019.1271.015.6
India10.023.929.610.4
Japan8.34.623.7-1.7
United States7.11.020.4-6.3
Russia6.6e9.418.94.4
South Korea6.14.717.63.8
Germany3.6e10.410.01.7
Turkey3.49.29.89.5
Brazil2.84.18.76.2
Iran2.6e10.77.510.7

e – estimated. Ranking of top 10 producing countries is based on year-to-date aggregate

  • The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country. worldsteel represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Members represent around 85% of global steel production.
  • As of January 2021, worldsteel no longer makes all of its monthly production data available to the public free of charge. Crude steel production by region and the production of the top ten steel-producing countries continue to be available. A subscription with access to the iron and crude steel production data for all other countries is available for €975 via the worldsteel bookshop. This subscription includes access to 20 years of data in the Steel Statistical Yearbooks. Please contact subscribers@worldsteel.org with any questions.
  • Information on capacity can be found on the OECD website.
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