NEW DELHI, November 10, 2025: India became a net exporter of finished steel in October, according to provisional government data, marking a significant reversal in trade balance after several months of higher imports. The country exported about 0.6 million metric tons of finished steel during the month, an increase of 44.7 percent compared with the same period last year. Imports of finished steel fell sharply to 0.5 million metric tons in October, representing a 55.6 percent decline year-on-year. This shift resulted in a net export position for the month, underscoring a strengthening performance in India’s steel sector.
For the April-to-September period of the 2025-26 fiscal year, India had remained a net importer, making October’s export surge particularly notable in the latest trade data from the Ministry of Steel. India’s total production of finished steel in October reached approximately 13.4 million metric tons, up 10 percent from the corresponding month last year. Domestic consumption also rose, reaching 13.6 million metric tons, an increase of 4.7 percent year-on-year. The data indicates that both production and consumption are rising steadily, in line with higher infrastructure spending and construction activity.
Crude steel output for October stood at 14.02 million metric tons, reflecting a 9.4 percent rise from a year earlier. The increase in crude and finished steel output suggests that domestic producers have ramped up capacity utilization amid stable demand conditions in both domestic and export markets. India is among the world’s top steel producers, with the industry contributing significantly to manufacturing output and employment. During the April-October 2025 period, India’s total finished steel production was about 94 million metric tons, while consumption stood at around 92 million metric tons.
India reports strong rise in finished steel exports
Exports during this seven-month period were estimated at 3.6 million metric tons, compared with imports of roughly 4.2 million metric tons. Although India remained a net importer during most of the fiscal year, the latest data shows that export momentum strengthened sharply in October. India’s primary export destinations for finished steel include countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Industry data indicates that the composition of exports has included hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled products, and galvanized sheets. Imports, on the other hand, have largely comprised high-grade flat products and specialty steels from markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea.
India’s steel capacity continues upward trajectory
The Indian government has maintained a focus on strengthening domestic steel production under the National Steel Policy 2017, which aims to increase the country’s capacity to 300 million metric tons by 2030. The policy also emphasizes reducing import dependence and encouraging value-added steel manufacturing. In recent months, domestic producers including Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have announced investments in new facilities and modernization programs to meet rising demand. According to official data, India’s per capita steel consumption is approximately 87 kilograms, significantly lower than the global average of around 230 kilograms, indicating substantial room for growth in domestic demand.
The government has been promoting steel use in infrastructure, housing, and renewable energy projects to stimulate both consumption and industrial output. India’s transition to a net exporter of finished steel in October reflects a combination of higher domestic output and moderated import inflows. The data highlights the resilience of the steel sector, which continues to expand in response to rising domestic and external demand. The latest figures will form part of the government’s upcoming quarterly review of industrial performance, expected later this month. – By Content Syndication Services.