World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) was 119.5 million metric tons (mmt) in March, 5.8% higher than the same month last year. Total world crude steel production for the first three months of 2008 was 340.7 mmt, a 5.6% increase over the first quarter of 2007. U.S. production was an estimated 8.5 mmt, a 2.1% increase from March 2007. North America overall continued its upward trend with Mexico and Canada both experiencing increases.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that U.S. steel mills shipped approximately 9.16 million net tons in March 2008, a 1.9% decrease from March 2007. March’s figure was down 0.2% from last month. Within major market classifications, oil and gas was up 8.8% in March.