Crude steel output in Sweden grew year-on-year in July but fell to the lowest monthly output so far this year according to data from the Swedish steel producers' association Jernkontoret, monitored by Kallanish.

July 2017 raw steel production increased by 5.1% compared to July 2016 at 342,600 tonnes. This was however sharply down on both May and June’s respective outputs by -8% and represented the lowest monthly production since July 2016. July is traditionally the weakest month in the Swedish steelmaking calendar.

Swedish year-to-date crude steel output was 2,749,600t to end-July. This was 1.6% higher than production during the corresponding period in 2016.

On an annualised basis the country is currently on-target to beat last year’s national crude steel output of 4,616,700t, by between 3-4%.

The figures cover raw steel production from 11 Swedish sites.