World Crude Steel Production Soars

Preliminary and provisional figures indicate that total 1997 world crude steel production reached 794.5 million metric tons, a 6.2% increase over 1996 global production, according to the International Iron and Steel Institute. As in 1996, China, Japan, and the U.S. ranked first, second, and third, respectively, as the world's top steel-producing countries. Provisional figures show China's 1997 steel production at 107.3 million metric tons, Japan's at 104.5 million metric tons, and the U.S.' at 99.2 million metric tons.