World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) was 119.5 million metric tons (mmt) in May. This is 5.8% higher than the same month last year.

    China produced 46 mmt of crude steel in May. This is an increase of 10.5% compared to the same month in 2007. India, Japan and Korea also showed growth. Overall, Asia produced 67.6 mmt of crude steel in May 2008 compared to 62.4 mmt in May 2007, an 8.3% increase in crude steel production.

    In Europe, Germany produced 4.1 mmt of crude steel in May, an increase of 2.6% compared to May 2007. Turkish crude steel production was 2.5 mmt, a 12% increase compared to the same month last year. Over the first five months of 2008, Turkey produced 11.7 mmt of crude steel, which is 9% more than the same period in 2007.

    Brazil's crude steel production also grew in this month. In May 2008, Brazil produced 3 mmt, compared to 2.9 mmt in the same month last year, an increase of 2.8%.