New Delhi: Steel demand in India remained strong during April-August 2026, with finished steel consumption rising 7.4% year-on-year to 70.5 million tonnes. Finished steel production also increased 4.1% to 68.3 million tonnes during the period, according to data released by the Ministry of Steel.
Crude steel production rose 2.8% to 71.0 million tonnes from 69.0 million tonnes a year earlier. Hot metal output increased 2.9% to 40.4 million tonnes, while sponge iron production grew 1.9% to 25.4 million tonnes.
In August alone, crude steel production reached 14.8 million tonnes, up 4.6% from 14.1 million tonnes in August 2025. Finished steel output rose 3.2% to 13.9 million tonnes, while consumption increased 5.8% to 14.6 million tonnes.
Steel production expands across key segments
The country’s top seven steel producers accounted for 39.8 million tonnes of crude steel production during April-August 2026. They had a combined annual crude steel capacity of 117.4 million tonnes.
The remaining producers contributed 31.2 million tonnes of crude steel during the period. Their annual crude steel capacity stood at 105.4 million tonnes. Public sector producers accounted for 15.7% of crude steel output and 13.5% of finished steel production.
The top seven producers include SAIL, RINL, NSL, TSL Group, AM/NS, JSL and JSPL, along with the JSW Group as listed in the ministry data. Their combined finished steel production stood at 36.9 million tonnes.
Alloy steel production recorded a sharp increase during the first five months of the financial year. Output rose 30.9% to 4.80 million tonnes from 3.67 million tonnes in the corresponding period.
Alloy steel imports increased 5.5% to 513,800 tonnes, while exports jumped 182.1% to 178,700 tonnes. Consumption reached 5.12 million tonnes, registering a 24.5% increase.
Stainless steel production moved in the opposite direction. Output fell 11.7% to 1.62 million tonnes, while imports doubled to 642,900 tonnes. Consumption, however, increased 12.3% to 2.08 million tonnes.
Steel prices also moved higher in September. The average price of 10 mm TMT rose to ₹65,298 per tonne from ₹58,002 in August, an increase of 12.6% month-on-month.
The average price of 2 mm HR coil increased 8% to ₹76,085 per tonne. CR coil prices rose 11.1% to ₹84,972 per tonne, while GP sheet prices increased 8.6% to ₹94,148 per tonne.
The prices include GST and represent average rates across Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Imports rise while exports post stronger growth
India remained a net importer of finished steel by quantity during April-August 2026. Finished steel imports increased 29.5% to 3.49 million tonnes during the period.
The value of imports rose 38.3% to ₹36,193.9 crore. Exports also increased, with volumes rising 34.1% to 2.99 million tonnes and value growing 32% to ₹23,646.6 crore.
China was the largest source of finished steel imports, accounting for 1.11 million tonnes or 31.8% of total imports. Korea followed with 1.04 million tonnes, while Japan supplied 496,600 tonnes.
Vietnam was the leading destination for Indian finished steel exports at 416,000 tonnes. The UAE followed with 389,200 tonnes, while Italy received 289,000 tonnes.
Hot-rolled coil and strip remained the largest traded category. They accounted for 36.6% of imports and 39.2% of exports during April-August.
CR coil and sheets formed 17.9% of imports, followed by GP/GC sheets and coil at 15.9%. On the export side, pipes accounted for 14.4%, followed by bars and rods at 12.9%.
Raw material prices also increased for some inputs in September. NMDC Baila lump iron ore rose 2.9% to ₹5,400 per tonne, while HMS II scrap increased 9.6% to ₹43,810 per tonne.
Steel demand and industrial indicators
The Nifty Metal Index averaged 13,181.8 in August, up 5% from July and 41.7% from a year earlier. The PMI Manufacturing Index stood at 52.8, while the Baltic Dry Index averaged 2,951.1.
SAIL reported strong operational and financial performance in August. Its sales rose 13% year-on-year to 1.87 million tonnes, while crude steel production increased 8% to 1.68 million tonnes.
Supplies to Indian Railways reached a record 1.23 lakh tonnes, including 1.12 lakh tonnes of long rails. Cumulative sales during April-August rose 5.6% to 7.71 million tonnes.
SAIL’s IISCO Steel Plant also introduced in-house Yard and Roll Management Systems at its Universal Structural Mill. The systems are aimed at improving material traceability, yard management, roll management, efficiency and operational transparency.
NMDC achieved another operational milestone on September 20 with the pumping of the first batch of iron ore slurry through its 135-km pipeline from Bacheli to Nagarnar. The pipeline connects the Bailadila-Bacheli Complex with the Nagarnar Pellet Plant.
NMDC’s Panna Diamond Project produced a 27.29-carat gem-quality diamond. The stone is the second-largest produced at the mine, according to the ministry release.
Green steel and international cooperation
India’s steel sector also continued work on lower-emission production and international cooperation. Under the Ministry of Steel’s Green Steel Initiative, 99 distinct steel producers had received Green Steel Certificates through lists issued up to September 2026.
The certification covers products such as TMT bars, HR and CR coils, plates, wire rods and pipes. A large majority of certified products received 5-star ratings under the certification framework.
SAIL’s Environment Management Division held a two-day workshop at its Management Training Institute in Ranchi. The programme covered CO₂ calculations and the CO₂ Emission Monitoring Dashboard.
The workshop focused on improving carbon-emission measurement, monitoring and data management. It also supported SAIL’s decarbonisation efforts and environmental performance.
NMDC Steel Limited at Nagarnar received the 25th Greentech Environment & Sustainability Award 2026 in the Environment Protection category. The award was presented at the Greentech Summit in Jodhpur.
At INNOPROM India 2026, the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation visited the Steel Pavilion established by the Ministry of Steel. The ministry highlighted cooperation opportunities across raw materials, steel production, specialty steel, technology, research, digitalisation, trade and investment.
SAIL, NMDC, MOIL and MECON participated in the pavilion. The discussions also covered sustainable practices across the steel value chain.
The Secretary, Ministry of Steel, separately met the Ambassador of Norway to India in New Delhi. Their discussions covered CCUS, green steel, steel trade and research and development, with emphasis on low-carbon steel production and technology.
