World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 124 million tonnes in September 2012, recording no change compared to September 2011.

World crude steel production for the 62 reporting countries was 1,149 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2012, an increase of 0.6% compared to the same months of 2011. Asia produced 748.6 million tonnes of crude steel in the first nine months of 2012, an increase of 1.5% compared to the same period of 2011. The EU produced 129.6 million tonnes of crude steel in the first three quarters of 2012, down by -4.6% compared to the same period of 2011. The C.I.S produced 84.7 million tonnes of crude steel in the first nine months of 2012, up by 0.3% compared to the same period of 2011. North America’s crude steel production in the first nine months of 2012 was 92.8 million tonnes, 3.9% higher than the first nine months of 2011. South America produced 35.1 million tonnes of crude steel production in the first three quarters of 2012, down by -4.7% compared to the same period of 2011.

China’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 58.0 million tonnes, up by 0.6% compared to September2011.

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.8 million tonnes of crude steel in September 2012, a decrease of -1.0% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 5.6 million tonnes, up by 1.8% compared to September 2011.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.6 million tonnes of crude steel in September 2012, a decrease of -2.2% on September 2011. Italy’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 2.4 million tonnes, down by -7.8% compared to September 2011. France’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 1.3 million tonnes, a decrease of -3.0% on September 2011. In September 2012, Spain produced 1.2 million tonnes of crude steel, -10.3% lower than September 2011.

Turkey’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 3.0 million tonnes, an increase of 1.9% compared to September 2011.

In September 2012, Russia produced 6.2 million tonnes of crude steel, an increase of 15.1% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 2.7 million tonnes, -8.3% less than September 2011.

The U.S. produced 7.0 million tonnes of crude steel in September 2012, down by -3.0% on September 2011.

Brazil’s crude steel production for September 2012 was 2.8 million tonnes, down by -0.4% compared to September 2011.

The crude steel capacity utilization ratio for the 62 countries in September 2012 rose to 77.7% from 75.5% in August 2012. Compared to September 2011, it is 2.5 percentage points lower.