India’s steel sector sustained its growth trajectory, with crude steel production in April 2026 stood at 14.09 million tonnes, up 5.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) over April 2025 (13.31 million tonnes).
According to the data released by Ministry of Steel, the month continued to reflect healthy domestic demand momentum and stable industrial activity across infrastructure and manufacturing.
Hot metal production grew 5.4 per cent YoY, while pig iron output (0.69 million tonnes) posted a decline of 6 per cent YoY.
Finished steel production reached 13.05 million tonnes, up 3.4 per cent YoY. Finished steel consumption in April 2026 was 12.99 million tonnes, registering growth of 8.1 per cent YoY reflecting continued buoyancy in construction, infrastructure and manufacturing end-use segments.
On the trade front, imports stood at 0.68 million tonnes and exports at 0.47 million tonnes, making India a marginal net importer during the month.
Compared to April 2025 imports of 0.52 million tonnes and exports of 0.38 million tonnes, a growth of 30.8 per cent and 24.9 per cent was registered in imports & exports respectively in April 2026.
The data shows that the raw material prices showed a mixed but broadly firming trend in April 2026. Domestic iron ore prices strengthened notably, with NMDC lump and fines prices rising 10-11 per cent month-on-month, reflecting improved steel sector demand.
Global seaborne iron ore remained largely stable. International coking coal costs edged up further month-on-month, sustaining elevated input cost pressures for integrated BF-BOF producers heading into Q1 FY 2026-27. International scrap prices were broadly flat, offering relative stability for the electric route steelmakers.
Furthermore, the Indian steel industry is well-positioned to sustain its growth trajectory supported by continued infrastructure investment and expanding manufacturing activity.
Meanwhile, the navigating energy security, raw material cost volatility and global trade developments will remain key priorities for the sector in the year ahead, the data pointed out.
