Global crude steel production dropped by 3.8% year on year in May 2025, totaling 158.8 million metric tons, according to data released by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
For the January–May 2025 period, output stood at 784 million metric tons, down 1.3% year on year, signaling a broad slowdown across several key regions.
Regional Highlights – May 2025:
Asia
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Total regional output: 116.6 million mt, down 4.7%
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China: 86.6 million mt, down 6.9%
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Japan: 6.8 million mt, down 4.7%
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India: 13.5 million mt, up 9.7%
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South Korea: 5.1 million mt, down 1.7%
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European Union (EU-27)
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11.4 million mt, down 3.1%
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Germany: 3 million mt, down 6.4%
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Turkey
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3.1 million mt, down 2.8%
CIS Region
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7 million mt, down 8.1%
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Russia (estimated): 5.8 million mt, down 6.9%
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North America
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9.5 million mt, up 3.4%
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United States: 7 million mt, up 1.7%
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South America
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3.4 million mt, up 4.2%
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Brazil: 2.7 million mt, up 5.0%
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Africa
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1.9 million mt, up 5.5%
Middle East
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5.4 million mt, up 5.3%
Despite positive trends in India, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, the sharp downturn in Asia—especially China—continues to weigh heavily on global output figures.
The steel industry faces persistent headwinds from weakened construction demand, energy costs, and policy shifts, particularly in major producing nations.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
