Top Global Crude Steel and DRI Producers in May 2017

Published: Jun 22, 2017 15:44
According to latest statistics published by the World Steel Association, the world crude steel output by 67 countries reporting to the Association totaled 143.325 Million tonnes during May this year.

June 22, 2017 03:30:40 AM
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to latest statistics published by the World Steel Association, the world crude steel output by 67 countries reporting to the Association totaled 143.325 Million tonnes during May this year. The monthly output increased by 2.0% when compared with the output during the same month a year before. These 67 countries had accounted for approximately 99% of the total world crude steel production in 2016.

The following table lists world’s top ten nations with regards to total crude steel output during May 2017.

 Rank

Nation

Output

1

China

72,259

2

Japan

8,951

3

India

8,500

4

United States

6,995

5

Russia

5,953

6

South Korea

5,665

7

Germany

3,801

8

Turkey

3,288

9

Brazil

2,931

10

Italy

2,109

Also, the table given lists world’s ten leading crude steel producing nations during the initial five-month period from January to May this year.

 Rank

Nation

Output

1

China

346,833

2

Japan

43,936

3

India

41,822

4

United States

33,978

5

Russia

29,835

6

South Korea

28,420

7

Germany

18,618

8

Turkey

15,093

9

Brazil

14,074

10

Italy

10,261

Note: The above outputs are in thousand tonnes.

DRI production statistics

The preliminary data published by the World Steel Association indicates that the world direct reduced iron (DRI) production in May this year has declined marginally by nearly 0.4% when compared with the month before that.

The world DRI production during the month of May 2017 totaled 5.133 million metric tons, declining from the production of 5.155 million metric tons recorded during April this year.

According to World Steel data, Iran ranked first in DRI production during the month. India and Mexico were the second and third largest global DRI producers.

The estimated DRI output by Iran during May this year was 1.620 million metric tons. The country’s DRI output in May increased modestly by 3.5% when compared with the previous month. The DRI output by Iran had totaled 1.565 million metric tons during the previous month. India’s DRI production in May 2017 totaled 1.270 million metric tons, rising by 3.5% when compared with the previous month output of 1.227 million metric tons. The Mexican DRI output in May this year amounted to 545,000 metric tons, which is slightly higher than 527,000 metric tons output recorded during April this year.

The DRI output (in thousand metric tons) by the other eleven countries in May 2017 is as follows: Canada (144), Saudi Arabia (400), Trinidad & Tobago (Nil), Argentina (142), Peru (Nil), Venezuela (55), Egypt (320), Libya (54), South Africa (93), Qatar (219) and United Arab Emirates (272).

The World Steel production figures are based on the figures collected from 14 countries, which accounted for approximately 85% of the global DRI production in 2015.

Cumulative DRI output

The table given below provides the list of world’s top ten DRI producers during the initial five-month period of 2017.

 Rank

Nation

Output

1

Iran

7,232

2

India

6,181

3

Mexico

2,570

4

Saudi Arabia

1,969

5

UAE

1,578

6

Egypt

1,518

7

Qatar

999

8

Canada

660

9

Argentina

601

10

South Africa

382

Note: The above outputs are in thousand tonnes.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Australia Reviews Anti-Dumping Duties on Galvanized Steel from India, Malaysia, Vietnam Amid Zinc Concerns
Sep 11, 2026 18:30
Australia Reviews Anti-Dumping Duties on Galvanized Steel from India, Malaysia, Vietnam Amid Zinc Concerns
Read More
Australia Reviews Anti-Dumping Duties on Galvanized Steel from India, Malaysia, Vietnam Amid Zinc Concerns
Australia Reviews Anti-Dumping Duties on Galvanized Steel from India, Malaysia, Vietnam Amid Zinc Concerns
On September 9, 2026, Australia initiated its second sunset review of anti-dumping measures on galvanized steel sheet from India, Malaysia and Vietnam, and separately launched a sunset review of countervailing measures on imports from India. The review covers July 2025-June 2026, with the final report expected by February 11, 2027. As galvanized steel is the largest end-use sector for zinc, the measures directly affect export costs and competitiveness, potentially impacting Australia’s domestic zinc demand and supply chain. Maintaining the duties would provide some protection for domestic steel and coating capacity, while termination could increase low-priced imports and affect regional zinc consumption. The final outcome remains subject to the authorities’ determination.
Sep 11, 2026 18:30
JCC Hongyuan Copper's $200M Expansion Project Aims to Boost Capacity to 550,000 mt by 2027
Sep 7, 2026 15:43
JCC Hongyuan Copper's $200M Expansion Project Aims to Boost Capacity to 550,000 mt by 2027
Read More
JCC Hongyuan Copper's $200M Expansion Project Aims to Boost Capacity to 550,000 mt by 2027
JCC Hongyuan Copper's $200M Expansion Project Aims to Boost Capacity to 550,000 mt by 2027
The 300,000 mt/year copper cathode expansion project of JCC Hongyuan Copper, a subsidiary of Jiangxi Copper Corporation, entered the pre-approval public notice stage of its environmental impact assessment on September 4, with a total investment of approximately 1.416 billion yuan. The project is planned to start construction in September 2026 and be completed in December 2027. Upon completion, JCC Hongyuan's total capacity will jump from 250,000 mt to 550,000 mt.
Sep 7, 2026 15:43
Japanese Yen Increases USD/JPY Drops Below 159 Amid Intervention Speculation
Sep 3, 2026 19:00
Japanese Yen Increases USD/JPY Drops Below 159 Amid Intervention Speculation
Read More
Japanese Yen Increases USD/JPY Drops Below 159 Amid Intervention Speculation
Japanese Yen Increases USD/JPY Drops Below 159 Amid Intervention Speculation
[SMM Precious Metal Express] The Japanese yen spiked sharply during Wednesday's trading, with USD/JPY falling below 159 and closing down 0.92% at 158.69, sparking speculation of Japanese currency intervention. The dollar index also dropped sharply, with a weaker dollar environment providing support for precious metals.
Sep 3, 2026 19:00