Asia's steel production records modest growth

According to the latest data released by the World Steel Association, steel production in Asia rose 0.6 percent during the month of November on an annualized basis. In addition, all countries in the region showed an increase in steel output over 11 months at an annual level.

China's total crude steel production during November 2014 reached 63.300 million tonnes, down 0.2 percent from 63.427 million tonnes in November 2013. India produced 6.890 million tonnes of steel, up 4.8 percent from 6.575 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

Japan reported a slight decrease in average monthly crude steel production in November. Steel production in Japan fell to 9.175 million tonnes over the period compared to 9.273 million tonnes in 2013.

South Korea's steel production reached 5.911 million tonnes in November this year, showing a significant increase of 5.5 percent from 5.601 million tonnes in November 2013. Taiwan's steel output in November rose 4.7 percent to 1.905 million tons, up from 1.819 million tons in the same month last year.

The total steel production in thousand tons for the first eleven months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 in percentage was: China - 748670, (+1.9); India - 76197, (+2.4); Japan - 101667, (+0.4); South Korea - 65324, (+8.5), Taiwan - 20782, (+1.7).