World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 136 million tonnes (Mt) in June 2015, a -2.4% decrease compared to June 2014.

World crude steel production in the first six months of 2015 was 813.0 Mt, a decrease of -2.0% compared to the same period of 2014. The Middle East showed an increase of 2.9% whereas both North America and C.I.S. reported negative growth of -6.9% in the first half of 2015. Crude steel production in Asia declined by -1.5% while it increased by 0.5% in the EU 28. South American production remained the same in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014.

China’s crude steel production for June 2015 was 69.0 Mt, a -0.8% decrease compared to June 2014. Japan produced 8.6 Mt of crude steel in June 2015, a decrease of -6.2% compared to June 2014. India’s production was 7.4 Mt, up by 0.8% on June 2014. South Korea produced 5.9 Mt of crude steel, down by -3.6% compared to June 2014.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.8 Mt of crude steel in June 2015, an increase of 5.8% compared to June 2014. Italy produced 1.9 Mt of crude steel, down by -11.4% on June 2014. France’s crude steel production was 1.4 Mt, a decrease of -1.3% compared to June 2014. Spain produced 1.3 Mt of crude steel, a -3.3% decrease year on year.

Turkey’s crude steel production for June 2015 was 2.8 Mt, down by -4.5% on June 2014.

In June 2015, Russia produced 5.6 Mt of crude steel, down by -7.5% over June 2014. Ukraine produced 2.0 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -21.8% compared to the same month in 2014.

The US produced 6.7 Mt of crude steel in June 2015, down by -8.5% compared to June 2014.

Brazil’s crude steel production for June 2015 was 2.8 Mt, up by 2.1% on June 2014.

The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 65 countries in June 2015 was 72.2%. This is -3.5 percentage lower than June 2014. Compared to May 2015, it is 0.1 percentage points higher.

• [Editor:Yueleilei]