World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 119 million metric tons (mmt) in January 2011. This is 5.3%higher than January 2010.

China’s crude steel production for January 2011 was 52.8 mmt, an increase of 0.5%on January 2010 (see notes to editors). Japan produced 9.7 mmt of crude steel in January 2011, up 10.7%compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed an increase of 24.2%from January 2010, producing 5.6 mmt of crude steel in January 2011.

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for January 2011 was 3.7 mmt, an increase of 4.4%compared to January 2010. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.1 mmt, up 10.3%compared to the same month last year. Spain produced 1.4 mmt of crude steel in January 2011, an increase of 4.1%on January 2010.

Turkey produced 2.7 mmt of crude steel in January 2011, a 33.4%increase over the same month in 2010.

The US produced 6.8 mmt of crude steel in January 2011, an increase of 9.4%compared to January 2010.

Brazilian crude steel production in January 2011 was 2.8 mmt, 3.8%higher than January 2010.

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 64 countries in January 2011 was 75.6%, an increase from 73.3%in December 2010. Compared to January 2010, the utilisation ratio in January 2011 is 0.4 percentage point lower.