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    Analysis

    June 23, 2026

    Global steel production recovers 3% in May

    Written by David Schollaert

    Total raw steel produced around the globe rebounded 3% in May to an estimated 157.9 million metric tons (mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel). May production was also about 8 million mt above last year’s average monthly rate, but weak compared with previous years.

    On a 12-month moving average (12MMA) basis, annual production has averaged 148.8 million mt per month across the past year. This is the lowest rate recorded since November 2018, down 2.4% from the same period one year prior (Figure 1). Before last September, annual output had generally hovered between 152 million mt and 154 million mt for over three years, similar to pre-pandemic levels.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

    Read more from David Schollaert

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