BEIJING (Scrap Monster): According to the recent data published by the World Steel Association, the crude steel production by Asia rose 2.6% during the month of May year-on-year.

The total crude steel production by China during May was 70.432 Million tonnes, higher by 2.6% in comparison with the May 2013 production of 68.675 Million tonnes. India produced 7.080 Million tonnes of crude steel, up 1.6% when compared to 6.966 Million tonnes production achieved during May 2013.

Japan reported marginal fall in monthly crude steel output during May. Japan's crude steel output fell slightly by 0.3% from 9.625 Million tonnes in May 2013 to 9.595 Million tonnes in the same month this year.

South Korean crude steel production was up considerably by 11.4% during May from 5.534 Million tonnes in May 2013 to 6.164 Million tonnes in May this year.

The Taiwanese May steel output declined by 3.9% to 1.875 Million tonnes from 1.952 Million tonnes during same month last year.

The following table provides cumulative crude steel output for the first five months in 2014 in comparison with those during same period in 2013.

Note: Output in thousands of tonnes