SHANGHAI, May 25 (SMM) – Crude steel output across major mills in China averaged 2.08 million mt per day in the second 10 days of May, marking the second highest on record, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) released Friday.

That was up 1.4% from the level seen in the first 10 days of May and 1.88% higher than the level seen in the same period last year.

Daily average crude steel output at those mills hit a record high of 2.11 million mt in mid-September 2019.

Compared to May 1-10, average daily production of pig iron across those CISA key mills in May 11-20 rose 1.1% to 1.87 million mt, and that of steel products increased 2.43% 1.96 million mt.

As of May 20, inventories of steel products across those mills stood at 14.88 million mt, up 221,400 mt, or 1.51%, from May 10 and 5.35 million mt, or 56.13% higher than the beginning of the year.