Global crude steel production declined in March 2026, weighed down by sharp contractions in key producing regions even as India and a few others posted strong growth.
According to the World Steel Association, output across 69 countries — accounting for about 98 per cent of global production — fell 4.2 per cent year-on-year to 159.9 million tonnes (mt).
China-led decline
The downturn was largely driven by China, the world’s largest steel producer, where output dropped 6.3 per cent to 87 mt in March. For the January–March period, China’s production was down 4.6 per cent at 247.6 mt.
The weakness in China, amid ongoing demand concerns, continued to weigh on global steelmaking, offsetting gains in other regions.
India, US among bright spots
In contrast, India maintained strong momentum, with production rising 9.4 per cent year-on-year to 15.3 mt in March and 10.8 per cent in the first quarter, reinforcing its position as the fastest-growing major producer.
The United States also posted steady growth, with output up 5.2 per cent to 7.2 mt in March, while Germany and Türkiye recorded increases of 7.5 per cent and 6.4 per cent, respectively.
Regional trends mixed
Across regions, the trend remained uneven. Asia and Oceania, which account for the bulk of global output, saw production fall 3.9 per cent to 119.3 mt; the European Union recorded a 4.6 per cent decline to 11.4 mt. The Middle East saw the sharpest drop, with output plunging 33.5 per cent, while Russia and other CIS countries, along with Ukraine, reported a 7.9 per cent decline.
On the positive side, Africa and North America posted growth of 11.6 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively, while production in “Europe, Other” rose 4.9 per cent.
Quarterly output
For the first quarter of 2026 (Jan-March), global crude steel production stood at 459.2 mt, down 2.3 per cent from a year earlier, reflecting continued softness in demand and supply adjustments across major markets.