Crude steel production in China dropped 9% between September and October, falling to 35.9 million metric tonnes. However, finished steel production increased 19% in October to 42.9 million tonnes from 36.0 million tonnes in September. This is the highest Chinese monthly finished production level ever recorded, bringing it above the peak June 2008 level of 42.8 million tonnes. Net exports dropped 36% to 3.48 million tonnes.