India’s June steel consumption, output hit 6-month lows

: Metals
22/07/25

India's finished steel consumption and production in June fell to their lowest in six months, while exports hit a 1½-year low as export duties weighed on demand.

Finished steel consumption in June fell by 9.2pc on the month to 8.66mn t, while production decreased by 5.6pc to 9.37mn t, provisional data from the steel ministry's joint plant committee (JPC) show. Output and consumption levels were at their lowest since November 2021. Finished steel comprises alloyed and non-alloyed steel.

Crude steel production also fell to a six-month low of 9.97mn t, down by 6.5pc on the month, the JPC data show.

The lower production comes on the back of weak domestic demand as well as a decline in exports following the imposition of a 15pc steel export duty in late May.

Finished steel exports in June fell by 19.4pc on the month to 638,000t — the lowest since January 2021. Italy was the top export destination for finished steel in June with 81,400t, followed by Belgium at 71,300t and Turkey at 70,000t, according to Argus calculations.

Flat product exports accounted for 88pc of total non-alloyed finished steel shipments in June, with hot-rolled coil (HRC) and strips accounting for the majority of volumes, followed by plates. Goa port saw the highest volume of exports last month with 81,400t, followed by Paradip at 78,200t and Mumbai at 71,900t.

India's finished steel imports in June rose by 16pc from the previous month and by 12pc on the year to 450,100t. Most finished steel imports last month came from South Korea at 172,800t, followed by China with 125,000t and Japan with 45,600t, according to Argus calculations.

Mumbai port recorded the most imports with 156,100t, followed by Mundra with 102,600t and Chennai with 76,200t.

Imports of flat products accounted for 97pc of total non-alloyed finished steel in June, with most imports comprising HRC and strips, followed by galvanised sheets and coils.

Year-on-year comparisons of Indian steel consumption and production in June are higher, while exports are lower because of the impact from the second wave of Covid-19 last year.

By Sumita Layek

Indian steel exports and imports						000 t
	Jun-22	Jun-21	± %	Apr-Jun 2022	Apr-Jun 2021	± %

Exports
Semis	219.4	432.0	-49.2	680.7	1,197.9	-43.2
Non-flat products	56.7	217.0	-73.9	231.2	543.2	-57.4
Flat products	413.3	1,061.3	-61.1	1,653.8	2,782.2	-40.6
Alloy steel	176.5	91.1	93.7	317.4	233.9	35.7
Total steel	865.9	1,801.5	-51.9	2,883.1	4,757.2	-39.4
Imports
Semis	20.1	12.2	64.8	49.9	37.7	32.4
Non-flat products	6.3	10.5	-39.8	17.6	46.0	-61.9
Flat products	204.6	250.1	-18.2	600.0	726.7	-17.4
Alloy steel	240.5	147.0	63.7	560.3	396.1	41.5
Total steel	471.5	419.6	12.4	1,227.7	1,206.6	1.7
Source: JPC

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Brazil steel output may fall in 2026: Aco Brasil

25/12/16

Brazil steel output may fall in 2026: Aco Brasil

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25/12/16

US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill

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US adds 64,000 jobs in November, jobless rate climbs

25/12/16

US adds 64,000 jobs in November, jobless rate climbs

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Canadian authorities approve Anglo, Teck mining merger

25/12/16

Canadian authorities approve Anglo, Teck mining merger

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