FNA - Iran considerably increased the production of crude steel in the first five months of 2018, statistics released by World Steel Association (WSA) said.

"A sum of 10.14 million tons of crude steel wwa produced in the first five months of 2018, showing a growth of 24.25 percent as compared with the corresponding period of 2017," WSA reported.


It said that China with 369.859 million tons of steel production topped the list of crude steel producers in the first five months of 2018.


Japan, India and the United States with 44.22 million tons, 44.12 million tons and 34.85 million tons, respectively ranked second, third and fourth, the report added.


In a relevant development in May, Iran produced 2.01 million tons of crude steel�a growth of 3.33 percent over the figure for April, which was 1.95 million tons.


Global steel production in May amounted to 154.86 million tons, showing an increase of 4.7 percent compared with the figure for April which was 147.89 million tons.


WSA is the international trade body of the iron and steel industry. The association represents approximately 170 steel producers, including 17 of the world�s 20 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations and steel research institutes. WSA's members account for around 85 percent of world steel production.