According to data released by World Steel Association, the global crude steel output totaled 1.607 billion tons in 2013, rising by 3.5% year on year and also hitting a record high.

In 2013, the crude steel production in Asia totaled 1.081 billion tons, rising by 6%; that in the EU countries totaled 165.6 million tons, down by 1.8%; that in the CIS was at 108.9 million tons, falling by 1.8%; that in North America was 119.3 million tons, down by 1.9% and that in South America was at 46 million tons, dropping by 0.8%, all compared to the figures in the previous year.

China increased its output by 7.5% to 779 million tons in 2013 from a year ago. Japan’s crude steel output also saw an increase of 3.1%, reaching 110.6 million tons from the previous year.

The global crude steel output amounted to 129.2 million tons in December, increasing by 6.3% year on year.

• [Editor:editor]