Domestic demand for steel shows signs of improvement in Q3FY20: Ind-Ra

03 Jan 2020 Evaluate

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) in its latest report has said that the domestic demand for steel showed signs of improvement in Q3 (October-December) of FY20 and can further pick up in the Q4FY20. However, it said that the demand in H2 FY20 is not likely to witness the same levels as in FY19. It also said the possible disruption in iron ore supplies -- in case of delays in the auction of iron ore mines -- continues to be a key monitorable. It noted that with the possible disruption, steel players will look to increase production levels over remaining FY20 and also capitalise on improved gross spreads and this is likely to contribute towards higher inventory levels with improved steel prices.

The report further highlighted that India's crude steel production was at 72.41 million tonnes in the eight months ended November 2019 from 106.44 million tonnes in FY19. It also stated that the government is likely to come out with a white paper in the next three to four months in order to make domestic steel players more cost-competitive. Besides, it said the gross spread per tonne (realisation per tonne of steel by raw material cost) within the hot-rolled coil product segment improved by Rs 2,200 per tonne in mid-December 2019 from the end of first half FY20. It added that this can be largely attributed to an increase in steel realisations clubbed with a simultaneous fall in coking coal prices.

Ind-Ra said within the construction segment, the demand pick-up for long steel products was slightly delayed post the conclusion of monsoon season with the ban on construction activities to address pollution levels in Delhi-NCR region in November. However, it said that steel consumption is expected to improve in December with the Supreme Court partially lifting the ban on construction activities.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×