World crude steel production rose 0.6% in August to 156.2 million tonnes from a year earlier, the World Steel Association reported on Thursday.
Due to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of this month's numbers are estimates that could be revised with a production update next month.
China produced 94.8 million tons of steel, which is 8.4% more than in August 2019. India produced 8.5 million tonnes of steel, down 4.4% from August 2019. Japan produced 6.4 million tons of steel, which is 20.6% less than in August 2019. South Korea's steel production in August 2020 was 5.8 million tonnes, 1.8% less than in August 2020.
Germany produced 2.8 million tons of steel, which is 13.4% less than in August 2019. Italy produced 0.9 million tonnes of steel in August 2020, up 9.7% over August 2019. France produced 0.7 million tonnes of steel in August 2020, down 31.2% from August 2019. Steel production in Spain in August 2020 was 0.7 million tonnes, 32.5% less than in August 2020.
In August 2020, the United States produced 5.6 million tonnes of steel, 24.4% less than in August 2019.
CIS steel production is estimated at 7.9 million tonnes in August 2020, which is 6.2% less than in August 2019. Ukraine produced 1.8 million tons of steel in August 2020, which is 5.7% less than in August 2019. Russia smelted 5.5 million tons of steel, which is 4.6% less than in August 2019.
Brazil produced 2.7 million tons of steel, 6.5% more than in August 2019.
Steel production in Turkey in August 2020 was 3.2 million tonnes, up 22.9% over August 2019.
