India’s crude steel production rose 1.9 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to 14.4 million tonnes (mt) in July, even as global output declined marginally, according to data released by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).India retained its position as the world’s second-largest steel producer, with output during January-July rising 6.1 per cent to 101.1 mt. The country was among the major producers to record growth during the period, alongside the US, Turkiye, Germany and Vietnam.Global crude steel production across 70 reporting countries stood at 149.2 mt in July, down 0.3 per cent from a year earlier. The countries covered account for about 98 per cent of global crude steel production.China’s declineChina, the world’s largest producer, reported a sharper decline, with output falling 3.6 per cent y-o-y to 76.9 mt. Its January-July production was down 3.1 per cent at 577 mt. China’s decline weighed on overall global output as Asia and Oceania, which includes China and India, produced 109.4 mt in July, down 1.2 per cent.Among other major producers, the US increased output 4.4 per cent to 7.4 mt, while Japan produced 6.9 mt, up 0.4 per cent. South Korea’s output rose 6.4 per cent to 5.7 mt, while Russia’s production was estimated at 5.7 mt, up 3.3 per cent. Turkiye and Vietnam recorded stronger growth of 7 per cent and 34.7 per cent, respectively.On a regional basis, Africa’s output rose 6.1 per cent to 2 mt, while the European Union produced 10.5 mt, up 3.8 per cent. North American output increased 4.9 per cent to 9.6 mt and South America’s production rose 2.8 per cent to 3.6 mt. West Asia was a notable laggard, with output falling 13.4 per cent to 3.8 mt.For January-July, global crude steel production was down 0.6 per cent at 1,081.2 mt. Asia and Oceania remained the largest producing region, accounting for 799.6 mt, although its output was down 0.9 per cent. India’s 6.1 per cent growth during the period contrasts with China’s 3.1 per cent decline.The divergent production trends come as the global steel industry continues to contend with uneven demand and regional market conditions. worldsteel had forecast global steel demand to grow only 0.3 per cent in 2026 to 1,724 mt, before accelerating to 2.2 per cent growth in 2027.Published on August 25, 2026