India remains world's 4th largest steel producer in 2013

Despite logging the second highest growth of 5.1% among the top five producers

India's position in world's steel production remained unchanged at the fourth slot in 2013 with an output of 81.2 million tonnes.

This is despite India logging the second highest growth of 5.1% among the top five producers.

There was no change in the order of top three steel producing nations with China, Japan and the US retaining their slots in the respective order in 2013, the World Steel Association (WSA) data revealed today.

India was the fourth largest steel maker in the previous three years as well with a total output of 77.3 MT 2012, 73.6 MT in 2011 and 69 MT in 2010. It had clinched the third spot in 2009.

"World crude steel production reached 1,607 MT for 2013, up by 3.5% compared to 2012. The growth came mainly from Asia and the Middle East while crude steel production in all other regions decreased in 2013 compared to 2012," WSA said.

Recording a growth of 6%, Asia produced 1,081 MT steel in 2013. The region's share of world steel production increased slightly from 65.7% in 2012 to 67.3% in 2013.

Country-wise, China produced 779 MT, an increase of 7.5% over 2012. Its share in world crude steel production increased from 46.7% in 2012 to 48.5% in 2013. Japan produced 110.57 MT and South Korea 66 MT in 2013.

The Middle East produced 26.3 MT steel, up by 6.8%, over 24.7 MT production a year ago.

"The EU recorded a decrease of 1.8% compared to 2012, producing 165.6 MT of crude steel in 2013," WSA said, adding the production in North America was 119.3 MT, a dip of 1.9%. The US produced 87 MT, down by two% over 2012.

CIS countries produced 109 MT steel during the year, down 1.8%. Russian production was at 69.4 MT, a decrease of 1.5% over 2012. South America's production was at 46 MT, down 0.8%.