In May 2021, Japanese crude steel production stood at 8.422mn mt, up by 7.7pc from the preceding month, and 42.2pc from May 2020. An average daily crude steel production in May was 272,000mt, an increase of 4.2pc from 261,000mt in April, according to Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF).
Output rose for three successive months as demand picked up at a steady pace once the COVID-19 cases started to come under control. Most automakers, machinery producers, and other downstream manufacturers increased output on demand reemergence. The semiconductor shortage, however, has impacted a few industries negatively.
Steel produced through electric arc furnaces stood at 2.09mn mt, up 2.6pc from April and up by 29.1pc from May 2020. Last year in May, many leading steelmakers had announced production halts as the COVID-19 pandemic had pressured the demand.
The country’s pig iron production was at 6.124mn mt, up by 7.9pc from April 2021 and 39.1pc from May 2020.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) forecast states, in the second quarter of 2021 Japan’s crude steel output is likely to rise by 28.3pc from the prior-year period.
The JISF data states, ordinary steel output was 6.461mn mt in May, up by 8pc from April and 35pc from a year ago. Special steel production rose 6.8pc from April to 1.961mn mt, while from a year ago, it rose by 72.9pc on improved demand.
Ordinary and Special Steel HRC production recorded a third successive month of growth, reaching 7.078mn mt, up 2.7pc from a month ago and 36.3pc from May 2020.