In June this year, Germany's crude steel output amounted to 3.7 million metric tons, the highest output level in the past three months but down four percent compared to the same month of the previous year, according to the information provided by the German steel federation Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl). In the first half of 2012, Germany's crude steel production totaled 21.9 million metric tons, falling by 5.7 percent as compared to the same period of 2011.
The federation noted that the forecast of 44 million tons of crude steel output for 2012 made at the beginning of the year is associated with a downside risk, against the background of recent modest growth in new orders, the current economic uncertainties and in particular the smoldering euro crisis. WV Stahl may announce an adjustment of its annual output forecast after the summer break.
On the other hand, in May this year Germany's total hot rolled steel product output amounted to 3.3 million metric tons, decreasing 6.5 percent year on year, including 2.2 million metric tons of flat steel products - down four percent year on year, and 1.1 million metric tons of long steel products - down 11.3 percent year on year. In the January-May period, the country's total hot rolled steel product output amounted to 15.85 million metric tons, decreasing 5.5 percent compared to H1 2011, including 10.4 million metric tons of flat steel products - down 7.7 percent year on year, and 5.4 million metric tons of long steel products - down one percent year on year.