India's steel output down 3.2% in Feb

Steel production of India declined due to higher Chinese output

India's steel production declined by 3.2 per cent while globally it averaged a 0.6 per cent rise in February mainly due to higher Chinese output.

India, the world's fourth largest steel producer, logged an output of 6.28 million tonnes (MT) in February, compared to 6.48 MT a year ago, premier industry body World Steel Association said in a release on Thursday.

India's production in the first two months of 2014 is at 13.23 MT, down 1.5 per cent, compared to 13.44 MT in January- February last year.

Global production of steel increased by 0.6 per cent during the month compared to 124.27 MT during February, 2013.

"China's crude steel production for February 2014 was estimated at 62.1 MT," World Steel Association  said.

Japan produced 8.4 MT, a rise of 1.4 per cent over February 2013. South Korea produced 5.3 MT, up by 6.2 per cent over February 2013.

The total production by Asian nations went up by 0.6 per cent to 83.70 MT against 83.17 MT during the month.

European Union's production also increased by 4.7 per cent to 13.87 MT over 13.25 MT a year ago. Germany produced 3.6 MT, Italy 2.2 MT, France 1.2 MT and Spain produced 1.2 MT among others.

Turkey's crude steel production for February 2014 was at 2.7 MT, up by 0.7 per cent over February 2013, World Steel Association  said.

Russian output was 5.3 MT, a dip of 3.1 per cent.

Output by Ukraine was 2.3 MT in February 2014, down by 10.7 per cent.

The US produced 6.7 MT steel in February 2014, down by 1. per cent.

Brazil's output was at 2.6 MT, a rise of 1.2 per cent compared to February, 2013.

"The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio in February was 77.6 per cent," World Steel Association said.