The Ministry of Steel has released production and consumption data for the April–August 2026 period, showing that India’s steel sector continues to expand. Crude steel production reached 14.8 million tonnes in August 2026, an increase of 4.6% compared to August 2025. Over the five-month period from April to August 2026, crude steel output totalled 71.0 million tonnes, up 2.8% from the same period in the previous year. Finished steel consumption, a key measure of domestic demand, rose 5.8% year-on-year to 14.6 million tonnes in August and grew 7.4% to 70.5 million tonnes during April–August.
Key facts
- Crude steel production: 14.8 Mt in August 2026, up 4.6% YoY; 71.0 Mt in Apr–Aug 2026, up 2.8% YoY
- Finished steel production: 13.9 Mt in August 2026, up 3.2% YoY; 68.3 Mt in Apr–Aug 2026, up 4.1% YoY
- Finished steel consumption: 14.6 Mt in August 2026, up 5.8% YoY; 70.5 Mt in Apr–Aug 2026, up 7.4% YoY
- Hot metal production: 8.4 Mt in August 2026, up 3.5% YoY; 40.4 Mt in Apr–Aug 2026, up 2.9% YoY
- Sponge iron production: 5.1 Mt in August 2026, up 3.0% YoY; 25.4 Mt in Apr–Aug 2026, up 1.9% YoY
- Total crude steel capacity: 222.9 Mtpa, with Top 7 producers accounting for 117.4 Mtpa
- Steel prices in September 2026: TMT at ₹65,298/tonne (up 21.0% YoY); HR Coil at ₹76,085/tonne (up 26.8% YoY)
- Finished steel imports: 3,487.3 thousand tonnes in Apr–Aug 2026, up 29.5% YoY; valued at ₹36,193.9 crore, up 38.3% YoY
- Finished steel exports: 2,986.0 thousand tonnes in Apr–Aug 2026, up 34.1% YoY; valued at ₹23,646.6 crore, up 32.0% YoY
- Public sector share in crude steel production (Apr–Aug 2026): 13.9%
Production trends across steel categories
India’s steelmaking capacity spans different production stages and categories. Among the Top 7 producers, which include SAIL, RINL, NSL, Tata Steel Group, AM/NS, JSW Steel and JSPL, crude steel production during April–August 2026 reached 39.8 million tonnes. The remaining producers contributed 31.2 million tonnes, bringing the total to 71.0 million tonnes.
Alloy steel production showed significant growth, reaching 1,092.2 thousand tonnes in August 2026, a jump of 47.1% compared to August 2025. For the April–August period, alloy steel production totalled 4,803.5 thousand tonnes, up 30.9% year-on-year. Consumption of alloy steel also surged 31.5% in August and 24.5% during the five-month period.
Stainless steel, by contrast, experienced a decline. Production fell 41.5% year-on-year in August 2026 to 230.3 thousand tonnes, with April–August output down 11.7% to 1,616.5 thousand tonnes. Consumption declined 10.0% in August but grew 12.3% during the five-month period, indicating some recovery in demand despite lower domestic output. Imports of stainless steel surged 71.3% in August and 100.7% during April–August, reflecting increased reliance on foreign supplies.
Price movements and market trends
Steel prices have climbed sharply in recent months. Thermomechanically treated (TMT) bars, widely used in construction, reached ₹65,298 per tonne in September 2026, up 21.0% compared to September 2025. Hot-rolled (HR) coils increased 26.8% to ₹76,085 per tonne, while cold-rolled (CR) coils and galvanised (GP) sheets rose 28.8% and 27.7% respectively. These price hikes reflect both global commodity trends and domestic demand strength.
Raw material costs have also risen. Iron ore prices quoted by NMDC increased from ₹5,250 per tonne in August to ₹5,400 per tonne in September 2026, a 2.9% month-on-month rise. Steel scrap prices climbed more sharply, rising 9.6% to ₹43,810 per tonne, indicating strong demand from secondary steel producers.
Trade dynamics: imports and exports
India remains a net importer of finished steel in quantitative terms. During April–August 2026, finished steel imports totalled 3,487.3 thousand tonnes valued at ₹36,193.9 crore, up 29.5% and 38.3% respectively compared to the corresponding period last year. China dominates India’s import basket, supplying 1,110.4 thousand tonnes (31.8% share), followed by South Korea with 1,039.3 thousand tonnes (29.8%). Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam are other significant suppliers.
Steel exports, however, grew faster than imports. India exported 2,986.0 thousand tonnes of finished steel during April–August 2026, valued at ₹23,646.6 crore, representing growth of 34.1% in volume and 32.0% in value. Vietnam is India’s largest export destination with 416.0 thousand tonnes (13.9% share), followed by the UAE with 389.2 thousand tonnes (13.0%). Hot-rolled coils account for the largest export category at 1,169.9 thousand tonnes, followed by pipes and bars and rods.
Sector performance and initiatives
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s largest public steel producer, delivered strong results in August 2026 with sales rising 13% year-on-year to 1.87 million tonnes and crude steel production increasing 8% to 1.68 million tonnes. Notably, SAIL’s supplies to Indian Railways reached a record 1.23 lakh tonnes, including 1.12 lakh tonnes of long rails, underscoring the company’s role in supporting critical infrastructure projects. Cumulative sales during April–August rose 5.6% to 7.71 million tonnes.
NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, achieved a milestone on September 20 by successfully pumping the first batch of iron ore slurry through its 135-kilometre slurry pipeline from Bacheli to Nagarnar. This infrastructure connects the Bailadila–Bacheli Complex with the Nagarnar Pellet Plant and marks a step towards more efficient and sustainable ore transportation. Additionally, NMDC’s Panna Diamond Project produced a 27.29-carat gem-quality diamond, the second-largest at the mine.
Green steel and sustainability focus
The Ministry of Steel’s Green Steel Initiative has issued certificates to 99 distinct steel producers as of September 2026, covering products such as TMT bars, HR and CR coils, plates, wire rods and pipes. The majority of certified products have received 5-star ratings, reflecting growing adoption of lower-emission steelmaking practices. NMDC Steel Limited at Nagarnar received the 25th Greentech Environment and Sustainability Award 2026 in recognition of its efforts in carbon-footprint reduction and sustainable practices.
International cooperation
The Ministry of Steel participated in INNOPROM India 2026, where the Prime Minister and President of Russia visited the Steel Pavilion. The Ministry briefed the leaders on opportunities for India-Russia cooperation across raw materials, steel production, specialty steel, advanced technologies, research and development, digitalisation, trade and sustainable practices. The Ministry also met with the Norwegian Ambassador to discuss cooperation in carbon capture and utilisation, green steel production and research and development focused on low-carbon steelmaking.
What this means for you
For construction workers and homebuyers, rising steel prices will translate into higher costs for TMT bars and structural materials, potentially affecting project budgets and housing affordability. Steel-consuming industries such as automotive, appliances and machinery will face increased input costs, which may be passed on to consumers.
For businesses engaged in exports, the strong growth in shipments to Vietnam, UAE and European markets presents opportunities, though competition from Chinese suppliers remains intense. Farmers and rural communities dependent on agricultural equipment and tools may see price increases in the coming months.
For job seekers, SAIL’s strong operational performance and infrastructure projects like the NMDC slurry pipeline suggest continued employment opportunities in steel manufacturing, logistics and specialised technical roles, particularly in digitally skilled positions given ongoing automation initiatives.