Global crude steel output by members of the World Steel Association, grew by 27,9% year-on-year to 706-million tons in the first half of 2010, but the association stressed that most regions’ steel production had not yet recovered to precrisis levels.

While all regions had shown an increase in production compared with the first half of 2009, only Asia and the Middle East had increased their 2010 first-half output above that of the first half of 2007.

Steel production in the European Union, the US and Canada was still more than 15% below 2007 levels, the association stated.

Meanwhile, June crude steel production rose to 119-million tons, an 18% increase on the volumes produced in June last year.

China’s output grew by 9% year-on-year to 53,8-million in June, while Japan increased its production volumes by 35,9% to 9,4-million tons. South Korea produced 4,8-million in June, 21,9% more than it had produced in June 2009.

Germany increased its output by 53,4% to 3,9-million tons, Italy grew its output by 32,8% to 2,3-million tons and France recorded a 31,4% increase to 1,5-million tons, year-on-year in June.

Russia’s output rose by 6% to 5,4-million tons and Turkey’s by 13,8% to 2,5-million in June.

The US recorded a 65% year-on-year increase in steel production to 7,2-million tons.

Africa’s total output grew by 7,3% year-on-year to 1,3-million tons in June, while South Africa increased its production to 690 000 t, a 15,3% increase on the steel produced in June last year.

Algeria recorded a 33,3% increase and Egypt a 14,3% year-on-year increase in steel production in June, but Morocco recorded a 73,6% decline in steel output and Libya a 35% drop in output in June.

The World Steel Association’s members accounted for about 85% of total global steel production.