The Ministry of Steel in its latest data showed that crude steel production reached 14.21 million tonnes (MT) in May 2026, up 2.9% year-on-year (YoY). Hot metal production grew 2.0% YoY, while pig iron output (0.77 million tonnes) posted a growth of 1.1% YoY. Finished steel production reached 13.94 MT in May 2026, up 7.7% YoY. Finished steel consumption in May 2026 was 14.33 MT, registering growth of 9.0% YoY.
For the April-May period of 2026, crude steel production was 28.04 MT, up 2.7% over 27.30 MT in April-May 2025. Hot metal production grew 2.7%, while pig iron output (1.50 million tonnes) posted a growth of 0.2%. Finished steel production reached 27.36 MT, up 6.4% over corresponding period of last year. Finished steel consumption in April-May 2026 was 27.36 MT, registering growth of 8.7%, driven by sustained demand from construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing end-use segments.
On the trade front, imports stood at 0.69 MT in May 2026 as compared to 0.42 MT in May 2026, a growth of over 60%. Exports stood at 0.51 MT in May 2026, registering YoY growth of around 30% over 0.39 MT in May 2025.
During April-May 2026 period, imports were at 1.37 MT as compared to 0.94 MT in April-May 2025, a growth of around 45%. Similerly, exports stood at 0.98 MT during April-May 2026, a growth of around 27% as compared to 0.77 MT April-May 2025. Though, India was net importer of steel as imports are higher than exports during the period.