World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 117 million metric tons (mmt) in February 2011. This is 8.8%higher than February 2010.

China’s crude steel production for February 2011 was 54.3 mmt, up 9.7%compared to February 2010. Japan produced 8.9 mmt of crude steel in February 2011, an increase of 5.7%compared to the same month last year. South Korea produced 5.0 mmt of crude steel in February 2011, 25.7%more than February 2010.

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for February 2011 was 3.7 mmt, an increase of 7.9%compared to February 2010. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.3 mmt, up 4.9%compared to the same month last year. Spain produced 1.4 mmt of crude steel in February 2011, an increase of 6.4%on February 2010.

Turkey’s crude steel production for February 2011 was 2.5 mmt, an increase of 35.5%compared to February 2010.

The US produced 6.6 mmt of crude steel in February 2011, 5.6%higher than February 2010.

Brazilian crude steel production in February 2011 was 2.7 mmt, an increase of 11.4%on February 2010.

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 64 countries in February 2011 was 82.0%, a slight increase from the updated figure of 80.9%for January 2011. Compared to February 2010, the utilisation ratio in February 2011 is 2.7 percentage points higher.