In the January-February period this year, China’s outputs of pig iron, crude steel and finished steel amounted to 144.26 million mt, 168.70 million mt and 206.23 million mt, increasing by 7.3 percent, 5.6 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, year on year, as announced by China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The main increase was seen in February as mills were preparing for stronger demand in March and April, and as the Chinese New Year holiday was in late January this year, after which producers usually ramp up production. The NBS generally provides the data for January and February together due to the changing dates of the Chinese New Year holiday. According to the World Steel Association, however, in January China’s crude steel production rose by 2.3 percent year on year to 79.5 million mt.