India's crude steel production rose 1.9 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to 14.4 million tonnes (mt) in July, even as global output declined marginally, according to data released by the World Steel Association (worldsteel). India retained its position as the world's second-largest steel producer, with output during January-July rising 6.1 per cent to 101.1 mt. Global crude steel production across 70 reporting countries stood at 149.2 mt in July, down 0.3 per cent from a year earlier, and worldsteel said those countries account for about 98 per cent of global crude steel production.
China's output decline weighs on global totals
The world's largest producer, China, reported a sharper decline, with July output falling 3.6 per cent y-o-y to 76.9 mt. According to worldsteel, China's January-July production was down 3.1 per cent at 577 mt. The decline weighed on overall global output as Asia and Oceania — which includes China and India — produced 109.4 mt in July, down 1.2 per cent. India's 6.1 per cent growth during January-July contrasts with China's 3.1 per cent decline over the same period.
Major producers: a mixed scorecard
Among other major producers tracked by worldsteel:
- United States output rose 4.4 per cent to 7.4 mt.
- Japan produced 6.9 mt, up 0.4 per cent.
- South Korea output rose 6.4 per cent to 5.7 mt.
- Russia production was estimated at 5.7 mt, up 3.3 per cent.
- Turkiye recorded growth of 7 per cent.
- Vietnam recorded growth of 34.7 per cent.
India was among the major producers to record growth during January-July, alongside the US, Turkiye, Germany and Vietnam, worldsteel reported.
| Producer | July output (mt) | y-o-y change |
|---|---|---|
| Global (70 countries) | 149.2 | -0.3% |
| China | 76.9 | -3.6% |
| India | 14.4 | +1.9% |
| United States | 7.4 | +4.4% |
| Japan | 6.9 | +0.4% |
| South Korea | 5.7 | +6.4% |
| Russia (estimated) | 5.7 | +3.3% |
| Turkiye | — | +7.0% |
| Vietnam | — | +34.7% |
Regional production trends
On a regional basis, Africa's output rose 6.1 per cent to 2 mt, while the European Union produced 10.5 mt, up 3.8 per cent. North American output increased 4.9 per cent to 9.6 mt, and South America's production rose 2.8 per cent to 3.6 mt. West Asia was a notable laggard, with output falling 13.4 per cent to 3.8 mt. For January-July, global crude steel production was down 0.6 per cent at 1,081.2 mt. Asia and Oceania remained the largest producing region, accounting for 799.6 mt, although its output was down 0.9 per cent.
Demand outlook for steel
The divergent production trends come as the global steel industry continues to contend with uneven demand and regional market conditions, worldsteel said. The association had forecast global steel demand to grow only 0.3 per cent in 2026 to 1,724 mt, before accelerating to 2.2 per cent growth in 2027.
Global steel demand growth of 0.3 per cent in 2026 would leave the market heavily dependent on regional production shifts and inventory rebuilding, with a 2.2 per cent acceleration projected only in 2027.
Market implications
The July data places India's production growth against a backdrop of subdued demand expectations. India's January-July output of 101.1 mt grew 6.1 per cent, while global output fell 0.6 per cent to 1,081.2 mt in the same period, according to worldsteel. China's January-July total of 577 mt, down 3.1 per cent, remained well above India's volume, underscoring the scale gap between the world's two largest producers. For steel traders and procurement teams, the combination of India's growth and worldsteel's 0.3 per cent 2026 demand forecast points to a market balancing regional supply expansion against weak global demand growth.
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