According to the preliminary data announced by the World Steel Organization about world production (63 countries) during May 2023, crude steel production amounted to 161.6 million tonnes, a decrease of 5.1% compared to the production of May 2022.
Africa produced 1.3 million tonnes in May 2023, up 18.6% from May 2022. Asia and Oceania produced 119.5 million tonnes, down 6.0%. The European Union (27) produced 11.6 million tonnes, down by 11.2%. Europe and the other produced 3.7 million tonnes, down 7.7%. The Middle East produced 4.4 million tonnes, up 4.3%.
North America produced 9.6 million tonnes, down 3.7%. Russia, the CIS and Ukraine produced 7.9 million tonnes, up 11.5%. South America produced 3.6 million tonnes, down 5.2%.
production in different regions of the world
| Area | May 2023 (Mt) | % change May 23/22 | Jan-May 2023 (Mt) |
% change 23/22 |
| Africa | 1.3 | 18.6 | 6.3 | 2.6 |
| Asia and Oceania | 119.5 | -6 | 588.4 | 0.7 |
| EU (27) | 11.6 | -11.2 | 56 | -10.4 |
| Europe, Other | 3.7 | -7.7 | 16.6 | -16.3 |
| Middle East | 4.4 | 4.3 | 18.7 | 1.1 |
| North America | 9.6 | -3.7 | 45.9 | -3.6 |
| CIS | 7.9 | 11.5 | 36.9 | -3.8 |
| South America | 3.6 | -5.2 | 17.1 | -5.9 |
| Total | 161.6 | -5.1 | 786 | -1.2 |
As for the Arab countries, Egypt topped the production of Arab countries in May 2023, producing 873 thousand tonnes , an increase of 11.4%, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, producing 815 thousand tonnes , an increase of 6.0%. The UAE came in third place, producing 187 thousand tonnes , a decline of 41.0%.
Arab countries production of crude steel
| Country | May 2023 (000t) | % change May 23/22 | Jan-May 2023 (000t) |
% change 23/22 |
| Egypt | 873 | 11.4% | 3942 | -0.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | 815 | 6.0% | 3868 | 1.8% |
| UAE | 187 | -41.0% | 1269 | -3.0% |
| Qatar | 95 | 1.1% | 471 | 3.7% |
| Libya | 17 | -75.7% | 326 | 3.8% |
| Tunisia | 8 | 60.0% | 39 | 8.3% |
| Total | 1995 | -2.2% | 9915 | 0.6% |
