World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 103.9 million metric tons (mmt) in July. Although this is -11.1% lower than July 2008 production, it is the highest monthly production figure this year. China’s crude steel production for July 2009 was 50.7 mmt, 12.6% higher than July 2008. It is the first time ever that China has produced over 50 mmt of crude steel in a month accounting for almost 50% of world crude steel production. Since April 2009, world and China’s crude steel production has shown a steady month on month increase. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 7.7 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, down by -24.9% compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed a decline of -13.3% from July 2008, producing 4.0 mmt of crude steel in July 2009.
In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production was 2.7 mmt in July 2009, a decrease of -28.8% from July 2008. The UK produced 0.8 mmt in July 2009, down by -30.6% from July 2008.
The US produced 5.0 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, -41.6% lower than July 2008. Brazil produced 2.5 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, a decrease of -22.8% compared to the same month last year.
Russia’s crude steel production for July 2009 was 5.0 mmt, a decrease of -18.4% from July 2008. Ukraine produced 2.7 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, -27.7% lower than July 2008.
Turkey produced 2.3 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, -8.5% down from July 2008. Iran produced 0.9 mmt of crude steel in July 2009, 15.1% more than in July 2008.
In July, almost all the major steel-producing countries – including China, Japan, Germany, the US, Brazil, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine – have shown their highest monthly figures so far this year.
Total crude steel production in the 66 reporting countries for the first seven months of 2009 was 653 mmt, a -19.9% decrease over the same period of 2008.
Source: World Steel Association

With these figures, China is the market to go for. If North America could use 4000 tons a day, on these figures there is a lot of possible market overseas. That big deposit is looking better.