India steel sector grows in April, crude output up 5.8%, consumption up 8.1%

India’s steel sector maintained its growth momentum in April 2026, registering year on year increases across key production and consumption indicators, according to a PIB prerelease. The performance reflects sustained domestic demand and stable activity in infrastructure and manufacturing.

Crude steel production stood at 14.09 million tonnes in April 2026, marking a 5.8 percent increase compared with 13.31 million tonnes in April 2025. Hot metal output rose by 5.4 percent year on year. Pig iron production declined by 6 percent to 0.69 million tonnes.

Finished steel production reached 13.05 million tonnes, recording a 3.4 percent rise year on year. Consumption of finished steel stood at 12.99 million tonnes, up 8.1 percent, indicating continued strength in construction, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

India remained a marginal net importer during April 2026, with imports at 0.68 million tonnes and exports at 0.47 million tonnes. Compared with April 2025, imports increased by 30.8 percent from 0.52 million tonnes, while exports rose by 24.9 percent from 0.38 million tonnes.

India’s total steelmaking capacity reached approximately 220 million tonnes per annum in the financial year 2025 to 2026, progressing towards the National Steel Policy target of 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030. Major companies including SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL and AMNS continued to invest in capacity expansion.

Tata Steel recently commissioned a scrap based electric arc furnace green steel plant with a capacity of 0.75 million tonnes per annum in Ludhiana, with an investment of ₹3,200 crore. The facility is the first of its kind in Punjab.

Under the Ministry of Steel’s Green Steel Initiative, the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology continued to act as the nodal agency for measurement, reporting, verification and certification. As of March 31, 2026, green steel certificates had been issued to 90 producers across 15 states.

The certified products include TMT bars, hot rolled and cold rolled coils, wire rods and pipes. A majority of these products have received the highest five star rating, indicating strong participation among secondary and mid size producers.

Domestic steel prices showed recovery across major categories in April 2026. TMT and rebar prices increased by around 2.6 percent month on month and recorded a 3 percent rise year on year, marking the first positive annual trend after several months.

Flat steel prices registered stronger gains, with hot rolled coil prices rising by about 6.3 percent and galvanised plain sheet prices increasing by around 7.3 percent on a monthly basis.

Raw material prices displayed a mixed but largely firm trend. Domestic iron ore prices rose by about 10 to 11 percent month on month, reflecting improved demand from the steel sector, while global iron ore prices remained stable.

International coking coal prices continued to rise on a monthly basis, keeping input costs elevated for integrated producers. Scrap prices in the international market remained largely unchanged, providing stability for electric route steelmakers.

The Indian steel industry is well placed to sustain growth, supported by continued infrastructure investment and expanding manufacturing activity. Managing energy security, fluctuations in raw material costs and global trade developments will remain key challenges in the coming year.