Global steel production increased slightly in August

Global crude steel production rose slightly in August. As output from China, the number one steel producer, offset the decline in steel production in most of the rest of the world, according to data released by the World Steel Association on Thursday.

But China's steel output growth is expected to slow in the coming months, despite continued government stimulus programs, an analyst warned.

China is the world's largest steel producer and consumer. Global steel production rose 0.6% to 156.2 million tons in August, while China's increased 8.4% to 94.8 million tons, the World Steel Association said on Thursday.

Outside China, steel projects are still struggling, with Japan's output plummeting by 20.6%, Germany's and the US's by 13.4% and 24.4%, respectively.