Steel output rises; prices recover across segments

Infrastructure activity and manufacturing expansion supported higher consumption, while elevated raw material costs continued pressuring producers

Commodity Desk

MUMBAI

India’s steel sector sustained its growth momentum in April 2026, supported by robust domestic demand from infrastructure, construction and manufacturing sectors, according to data released by the Ministry of Steel. 

Higher production and consumption, coupled with recovering steel prices across categories, reflected improving market sentiment despite persistent raw material cost pressures. Crude steel production rose 5.8% y/y to 14.09 million tonnes in April 2026, compared to 13.31 million tonnes in the corresponding month last year. Finished steel production increased 3.4% y/y to 13.05 million tonnes, while finished steel consumption climbed 8.1% y/y to 12.99 million tonnes, indicating strong demand across end-use industries. The ministry said the growth in consumption was largely driven by continued government-led infrastructure spending and steady manufacturing activity. 

Hot metal production also registered a 5.4% increase during the month. However, pig iron output declined 6% y/y to 0.69 million tonnes. Imports stood at 0.68 million tonnes, up 30.8% from 0.52 million tonnes in April 2025. Exports rose 24.9% to 0.47 million tonnes from 0.38 million tonnes a year earlier. India’s total steelmaking capacity reached nearly 220 mtpa during FY26, moving closer towards the National Steel Policy target of 300 mtpa by 2030. 

Major producers including Steel Authority of India, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel and Power and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India continued capacity expansion initiatives during the year.

With inputs from ANI