Crude steel output decreases

World crude steel production in 1992 totalled 714 million tonnes, off 3% from the 1991 amount, according to preliminary estimates by the International Iron and Steel Institute of Brussels.

Output in the U.S. rose by 4.3% to 83.2 million tonnes, but was down in the European Community by 3.6% to 132.5 million tonnes and down in Japan by 10.5% to 98.1 million tonnes. Overall, output in industrialized countries was off by 2.9% from 380.5 million tonnes.

In developing countries, production increased by 5.1% to 116.9 million tonnes. In China and other centrally planned Asian economies, output rose by a combined 11.7% to 87.4 million tonnes. Output in the former USSR and countries of the former east bloc declined by 15.4% to 140.3 million tonnes.