According to figures released by World Steel Association (WSA), which lists the top 65 steel-making nations that account for 98 per cent of the world's steel production, the global steel output in 2010 was 1413.5 mmt; up from 1230.9 mmt in 2009.

India has slipped one position to become the fourth largest steel producer in the world, according to the WSA.

The tonnages are for all types of steel including stainless, and based on world steel reporting rules as regards part-owned steelworks.

WSA represents around 180 steel producers, including 18 of the world's 20 largest steel companies. Its members produce around 85 per cent of the global steel.

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With production of 626.7 mmt, China remains on top of the list of the world's largest steel maker. Last year, China produced 573.6 mmt.

China's crude steel production for April 2011 was 59 mmt, up 7.1 per cent year over year.

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Japan, too, retained its place as the second highest producer in 2010.  Its output for 2010 was 109.6 mmt, while in 2009 the production was 87.5 mmt.

In terms of crude steel, Japan produced 8.4 mmt, down 6.3 per cent year over year due to the production disruption caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

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Marching past India and Russia, the United States became the third largest producer of the alloy with 80.5 mmt output in 2010.

It was the fifth largest steel maker in 2009 with output of 58.2 mmt.

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India, on the other hand, slipped one step to become the fourth largest steel producer in the world in 2010 with 68.3 million tonnes (mmt) production.

India had produced 63.5 MMMT steel in 2009.

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Despite 6.9 mmt additional production, Russia also closed the year one notch down to become the fifth highest maker of the alloy in the world.

It produced 66.9 mmt steel in 2010. And, in 2009 its production stood at 60.0 mmt.

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Taking further, WSA also features five largest steel producing world steel member companies in 2010.

The main producers were ArcelorMittal, Baosteel, Posco, Nippon Steel and JFE and their cumulative contribution was 236.7 MMMT to the world's total production.

On this list, Tata Steel's 23.2 mmt production was the world's seventh largest in 2010 and Steel Authority of India (SAIL) was at the 18th position with 13.6 mmt production.

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Incidentally, these five were the top-five steel makers in 2009 as well. In 2010, their output was as follows: