Steel Production, Consumption Up

Production of saleable steel over the first nine months of 1997-98 rose to 22.8 million tonnes, with consumption growing 1.9 per cent to 21.71 million tonnes during the same period. Output in the comparable period of last year stood at 22.4 million tonnes, an official release said here yesterday. However, estimated output by main producers, including SAIL declined by 0.7 per cent during the period while the secondary manufacturers showed increased production of about 4.5 per cent. Total pig iron production during April-December last year has been estimated at 2.7 million tonnes against 2.5 million tonnes in 1995-96, the release said. Apparent consumption of pig iron during April-December 1995 stood at 2.01 million tonnes.