New Delhi, June 4 (IANS). India’s steel sector has seen growth in May and crude steel production has increased by 2.9 percent on an annual basis to 14.21 million tonnes. This information was given by the government on Thursday.
Hot metal production increased by 2.0 per cent, while pig iron production (0.77 million tonnes) registered a growth of 1.1 per cent.
Finished steel production rose 7.7 percent to 13.94 million tonnes in May. Finished steel consumption in May stood at 14.33 million tonnes, an increase of 9.0 percent over the previous year.
According to the Steel Ministry, crude steel production during April-May stood at 28.04 million tonnes, which is 2.7 percent higher than the same period last year. Whereas, in April-May 2025, this production was 27.30 million tonnes.
Hot metal production increased by 2.7 per cent over the previous year, while pig iron production (1.50 million tonnes) registered a growth of 0.2 per cent over the previous year.
In addition, finished steel production reached 27.36 million tons, up 6.4 percent from the previous year. According to the ministry statement, finished steel consumption in April-May 2026 stood at 27.36 million tonnes, 8.7 per cent higher than last year due to sustained demand from construction, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.
Steel imports in May stood at 0.69 million tonnes and exports at 0.51 million tonnes, showing an annual growth of 62.5 per cent and 29.9 per cent, respectively, compared to May 2025 levels of 0.42 million tonnes and 0.39 million tonnes.
Imports during April-May 2026 stood at 1.37 million tonnes and exports at 0.98 million tonnes, making India a net importer during the period.
India’s total crude steel production capacity is expected to reach around 220 MTPA in FY 2025-26, putting the industry on track to achieve the National Steel Policy’s target of 300 MTPA tonnes per annum by 2030.
SAIL has approved increasing the crude steel production capacity of its Bhilai Steel Plant from the present 6.8 MTPA to 10.2 MTPA.
Additionally, JSW Steel commenced construction of its integrated steel plant at Paradip, Odisha in May 2026 – a phased development project with a planned capacity of 13.2 MTPA.
Under the ‘Green Steel Initiative’, Green Steel Certificates were issued to 94 producers from 15 states (by May 31, 2026), with most of the certified products achieving the highest 5-star rating – reflecting the strong acceptance of the initiative among secondary and medium-sized steel producers.
Raw material prices strengthened further in May 2026 compared to April 2026.
–IANS
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