According to the preliminary data announced by the World Steel Federation on world production (64 countries) during January 2023, crude steel production amounted to 145.3 million tonnes, a decrease of -3.3% compared to January 2022 production.
Africa produced 1.2 million tonnes of crude steel in January 2023, down by -4.9% from January 2022 and Asia and Oceania produced 107.5 million tonnes of crude steel in January 2023, down by -0.2% from January 2022.
The European Union (27) produced 10.3 million tonnes of crude steel in January 2023, a decrease of -15.2% compared to January 2022.
Other Europe produced 3.3 million tonnes, down by -17.5%, and the Middle East region produced 3.8 million tonnes, up by 19.7%.
Crude steel production in North America in the same month was 9.1 million tonnes, a decrease of -5.6% compared to the same month in 2022.
Independent countries including Russia and Ukraine produced 6.5 million tonnes of crude steel in January of 2023, a decrease of -24.9% compared to 2022. South America produced 3.6 million tonnes, down by -0.6%.
Production in different regions of the world
| Region | January 2023(MT) | December change % 23/22 | Jan- Jan 2023
MT |
% Change 23/22 |
| Africa | 1.2 | -4.9 | 1.2 | -4.9 |
| Asia Oceania | 107.5 | -0.2 | 107.5 | -0.2 |
| EU (27) | 10.3 | -15.2 | 10.3 | -15.2 |
| Europe, Other | 3.3 | -17.5 | 3.3 | -17.5 |
| Middle-East | 3.8 | 19.7 | 3.8 | 19.7 |
| North America | 9.1 | -5.6 | 9.1 | -5.6 |
| CIS | 6.5 | -24.9 | 6.5 | -24.9 |
| South America | 3.6 | -0.6 | 3.6 | -0.6 |
| Total | 145.3 | -3.3 | 145.3 | -3.3 |
As for the Arab countries, Egypt topped the production of Arab countries in January 2023, producing 800,000 tonnes, a decline of -2.0%, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, producing 710,000 tonnes, a drop of -5.2%. The UAE came in third place, producing 278,000 tonnes, an increase of 37.6%.
Arab countries production of Crude steel
| Country | January 2023(000t) | January 2022(000t) | % Change 23/22 |
| Egypt | 800 | 816 | -2.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | 710 | 749 | -5.2 |
| UAE | 278 | 202 | 37.6 |
| Qatar | 96 | 95 | 1.1 |
| Libya | 46 | 78 | -41.0 |
