Reportedly, the world's largest steelmaking country, China's crude steel output may fall for the first time in 31 years in 2012, citing the weaker macroeconomic conditions and steel demand.
The report by a senior industry analyst was based on the fact that it sees crude steel output may be finally at 678.68 million tons, decreasing by 0.7% from 2011.
The steel output cuts since June have been widespread among major steelmakers in the country, whose second-half output may decline around 10% compared with the first half.