New Delhi: India’s finished steel consumption rose 7.9% year-on-year to 56 million tonnes during April-July 2026, while crude and finished steel production also increased during the four-month period, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Steel.
Crude steel production increased 2.4% to 56.2 million tonnes from 54.9 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year. Finished steel production rose 4.7% to 54.7 million tonnes from 52.2 million tonnes, while hot metal production increased 2.7% to 31.9 million tonnes.
In July alone, crude steel production stood at 14.4 million tonnes, up 1.9% year-on-year. Finished steel production increased 3.9% to 14 million tonnes, while consumption rose 6.8% to 14.4 million tonnes.
India was a net importer of finished steel by volume during April-July 2026. Imports increased 36.6% to 2.7662 million tonnes from 2.025 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year, while exports rose 35% to 2.2923 million tonnes from 1.698 million tonnes.
China was the largest source of finished steel imports during the period, accounting for 855,800 tonnes or 30.9% of total imports. Korea followed with 835,400 tonnes and Japan with 413,300 tonnes.
Vietnam was India’s largest finished steel export destination during April-July at 354,000 tonnes, followed by the UAE at 339,600 tonnes.
Alloy steel production increased 26.7% to 3.7108 million tonnes during April-July, while consumption rose 22.1% to 4.0229 million tonnes. Stainless steel production declined 4.2% to 1.3756 million tonnes even as consumption increased 25% to 1.770 million tonnes.
Separately, NMDC’s 2.0 MTPA iron ore beneficiation plant at Bacheli has begun trial operations. MECON and NMDC Steel Limited have also signed a Memorandum of Agreement for consultancy services for NSL’s upcoming projects.
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