British Steel consulting firm Maples (MEPS) estimates that global stainless crude steel production in 2009, a total of approximately 24.7 million tons, down 4.6% compared with 2008.
    MEPS forecast for 2010, global stainless steel production 28 million tons, only less than the 2006 peak output of 20 million tons. The EU expected output of 690 million tons more than in 2009, almost one million tons, down 26.4% compared with 2006; and Japanese stainless steel production this year, only four years ago, is expected to yield 76.9%. In addition, MEPS is expected in 2010 China produced 9.6 million tons of stainless steel, the Russian stainless steel production will increase 73%.
    First half of 2009 the U.S. demand for stainless steel low, leading to the country's third consecutive annual decline. Later, the U.S. stainless steel industry rebound is expected to moderate growth in 2010 annual output to 215 million tons, compared with 2009 growth of 20.4%.
    South Korean stainless steel crude steel production in 2009 is estimated at 1.61 million tons, compared with 2008 increased by about 2 percentage points. The country's major steel maker Pohang Iron and Steel (Posco) plan annual growth of 22%. Therefore, MEPS in 2010 South Korea's total output of about 1.95 million tons of stainless steel.
    Stainless steel production in Brazil in late 2009 the level of increase, but still higher than the annual output in 2008 dropped 13%. India last year stainless steel production is relatively stable.
    China stainless steel plant in 2009, most of the time are close to maximum capacity can produce only in the last two months last year, year-end inventory for the control of a small cut. MEPS stainless steel production last year, China is expected to refresh the history, about 8.7 million tons in 2010 annual production increase of about 7.9%.