World Crude Steel Output Falls 4.2% in March 2026
2026-04-27 10:41:08 [Print]
Global crude steel production declined by 4.2% year-on-year in March 2026, totaling 159.9 million metric tons, according to data released by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
During the first quarter of 2026 (January–March), worldwide crude steel output decreased by 2.3% year-on-year to 459.2 million metric tons.
In March, Asia produced 119.3 million metric tons of crude steel, down 3.9% from the same month last year. Within the region, China's output stood at 87 million metric tons, falling 6.3%; Japan produced 6.9 million metric tons, down 4.1%; India's output rose 9.4% to 15.3 million metric tons; and South Korea saw a 1.5% increase, reaching 5.4 million metric tons. All comparisons are year-on-year.
The 27 countries of the European Union (EU-27) produced 11.4 million metric tons of crude steel in March, representing a 4.6% year-on-year decline. Turkey's output amounted to 3.3 million metric tons, up 6.4% from a year earlier, while Germany produced 3.3 million metric tons, an increase of 7.5% compared to March 2025.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region recorded crude steel output of 6.6 million metric tons, down 7.9% year-on-year. Russia's estimated output was 5.4 million metric tons, an 11.4% decline from the previous year.
In North America, March crude steel production totaled 9.5 million metric tons, up 3.5% year-on-year, with the United States accounting for 7.2 million metric tons, a rise of 5.2%. South America produced 3.6 million metric tons of crude steel in March, a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the same month in 2025, with Brazil's output at 2.8 million metric tons, down 2.5% year-on-year.
During the first quarter of 2026 (January–March), worldwide crude steel output decreased by 2.3% year-on-year to 459.2 million metric tons.
In March, Asia produced 119.3 million metric tons of crude steel, down 3.9% from the same month last year. Within the region, China's output stood at 87 million metric tons, falling 6.3%; Japan produced 6.9 million metric tons, down 4.1%; India's output rose 9.4% to 15.3 million metric tons; and South Korea saw a 1.5% increase, reaching 5.4 million metric tons. All comparisons are year-on-year.
The 27 countries of the European Union (EU-27) produced 11.4 million metric tons of crude steel in March, representing a 4.6% year-on-year decline. Turkey's output amounted to 3.3 million metric tons, up 6.4% from a year earlier, while Germany produced 3.3 million metric tons, an increase of 7.5% compared to March 2025.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region recorded crude steel output of 6.6 million metric tons, down 7.9% year-on-year. Russia's estimated output was 5.4 million metric tons, an 11.4% decline from the previous year.
In North America, March crude steel production totaled 9.5 million metric tons, up 3.5% year-on-year, with the United States accounting for 7.2 million metric tons, a rise of 5.2%. South America produced 3.6 million metric tons of crude steel in March, a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the same month in 2025, with Brazil's output at 2.8 million metric tons, down 2.5% year-on-year.
