- Finished steel exports rise over 33% y-o-y in Apr-Dec
- Finished steel consumption grows nearly 7% y-o-y
India’s crude steel production rose in December 2025, continuing the trend from the previous month, supported by firm domestic demand and a sharp improvement in trade balance, provisional data released by the Joint Plant Committee (JPC) under the Ministry of Steel showed. While finished steel exports declined on a monthly basis, cumulative exports remained significantly higher year-on-year, even as imports stayed sharply lower.
Highlights
Crude steel production records steady growth
India’s crude steel production increased by 3.2% m-o-m to 14.147 million tonnes (mnt) in December 2025, compared with 13.713 mnt in November. On a year-on-year basis, output rose 5.4% from 13.429 mnt in December 2024, reflecting sustained operational stability at mills.
On a cumulative basis, April–December 2025 crude steel production reached 123.873 mnt, marking a 10.8% rise over 111.843 mnt produced during the same period of the previous year.
Finished steel production remains stable m-o-m
Finished steel production stood largely unchanged at 13.072 mnt in December, marginally higher than 13.053 mnt recorded in November. On a y-o-y basis, output inch-up by 2% from 12.818 mnt in December 2024.
Cumulatively, finished steel production during Apr–Dec’25 rose to 117.644 mnt, up 9.5% y-o-y compared with 107.426 mnt in the corresponding period last year.
Finished steel exports ease m-o-m, rise sharply y-o-y
India’s finished steel exports declined 16% m-o-m to 0.616 mnt in December, down from 0.733 mnt in November. However, exports registered a strong 38.1% y-o-y increase from 0.446 mnt in December 2024, supported by competitive pricing and steady overseas demand.
During April–December 2025, cumulative exports reached 4.799 mnt, recording a 33.3% increase y-o-y against 3.600 mnt in the year-ago period.
Finished steel imports rise m-o-m, remain sharply lower y-o-y
Finished steel imports increased 18.6% m-o-m to 0.459 mnt in December from 0.387 mnt in November. Despite the monthly rise, imports were 45.5% lower y-o-y compared with 0.842 mnt in December 2024, reflecting subdued inbound volumes.
Cumulatively, imports during Apr–Dec’25 stood at 4.649 mnt, down sharply by 37.4% y-o-y from 7.424 mnt in the same period last year.
Finished steel consumption rebounds m-o-m
India’s finished steel consumption rose 10.4% m-o-m to 14.253 mnt in December, recovering from 12.911 mnt in November. On a y-o-y basis, consumption increased 3.4% from 13.786 mnt in December 2024, indicating sustained end-user demand.
Cumulative consumption in April–December 2025 reached 119.299 mnt, up 6.8% y-o-y compared with 111.727 mnt during the corresponding period of the previous year.
Outlook
India’s steel market is expected to remain on a firm footing in the near term, supported by steady crude steel production, healthy cumulative consumption growth and a sharply improved import-export balance. While monthly export volumes may remain volatile, strong year-on-year trends and restrained imports are likely to continue supporting domestic price stability and overall market sentiment.
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