German metallurgical plants produced about 1.06 million tons of pig iron and 1.88 million tons of crude steel in April 2009 which was 56.8% and 53.1% respectively less than in April last year. There have never been such big year-to-year drops before in the entire history of the Federal Republic of Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office. On March this year output fell by 14.7 % and 9.0 % respectively. After adjustments for calendar and season output of crude steel increased by 2.5 %.
Over the first four months this year output of pig iron and crude steel amounted to 5.54 million and 9.16 million tons respectively in Germany. In comparison with the first four months in 2008 it fell by 44.9 % and 43.0 % respectively. 