Economy

WSA: Global Steel Production Dips in June, Still Up 12% from Year-Ago Levels
Written by David Schollaert
July 23, 2021
World crude steel production, at an estimated 167.9 million metric tons in June, was down 3.7% from a month ago but up 12.0% when compared to the same year-ago period, reported the World Steel Association (worldsteel). June’s data is the first decrease in more than four months and follows sequential record-breaking increases seen from March through May.
Despite a slight deceleration in crude steel output, June’s total remains higher than the previous high from May 2019, when total estimated world crude steel production was 163.1 million metric tons.
Worldsteel’s data shows that China’s 93.9 million tons of output in June, a 5.6% month-on-month decrease, heavily impacted the overall global deceleration. The decrease wasn’t limited just to Chinese crude steel production alone, as seven of the top 10 global steel-producing counties also reported lower output in June. But China’s decline – down 5.6 million tons in June – accounted for nearly 90% of the total 6.3 million metric ton global decrease.
Turkey and India, however, two of the top 10 global steel-producing counties, saw increases of 6.3% and 2.2%, respectively, compared to the month prior. Korea’s output was sideways over the same period, worldsteel said.
By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Economy

Steel Summit: Dr. Basu blames tariffs for riskier path ahead
Steel executives packed the main conference hall of the 2025 SMU Steel Summit on Tuesday, Aug. 26, to hear economist Dr. Anirban Basu lay out his blunt view of tariffs, inflation, and demand.

Steel Summit: Schneider sees SDI ‘on the edge of a very good run’
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) President and Chief Operating Officer, Barry Schneider, remains bullish about the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker’s position in the current market.

US housing starts gain momentum in July
US housing starts rose in July both month-on-month and year-on-year, according to figures from the US Census Bureau.

Manufacturing in New York state improves again in August
Business activity in New York state improved modestly in August. It was just the second positive reading for the general business conditions index in six months.

President Trump intends to set additional steel tariffs
While boarding Airforce One on Friday, US President Donald Trump stated that he would be setting more steel tariffs and putting ~100% tariffs on semiconductors and chips.