World crude steel production reached 154.4 million tonnes in January 2020, up 2.1 percent from a year earlier, the World Steel Association reported on 25 February. The increase came before the full impact of the coronavirus outbreak was felt outside China, although the association noted that the health crisis was already affecting the second half of the month. China, the largest producer, made 84.3 million tonnes, a rise of 7.2 percent year on year. The United States produced 7.7 million tonnes, up 2.5 percent, while India fell 3.3 percent to 9.3 million tonnes. Japan produced 8.2 million tonnes, down 1.3 percent, and South Korea dropped 8 percent to 5.8 million tonnes. The figures covered 64 countries reporting to the association. Because the China Iron and Steel Association publishes a combined January-February total, the separate monthly figures for China were estimates. The January result left the industry watching February closely for the first clear sign of virus-related disruption.
Source: SEAISI (World Steel Association) — https://www.seaisi.org/details/238?type=news-rooms
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