India Becomes Net Exporter of Finished Steel in 2025–26

India became a net exporter of finished steel in the financial year ending March 31, 2026, according to provisional government data reviewed by Reuters . The shift marks a significant change in trade balance for the world’s second‑largest crude steel producer.

India exported 6.6 million metric tons of finished steel in 2025–26, an increase of 35.9 percent from the previous year . The biggest buyers were Italy, Vietnam, Belgium, the UAE and Spain .

Imports fell sharply. India imported 6.5 million tons of finished steel during the same period, a decline of 31.7 percent from a year earlier . The main suppliers were South Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam and Russia .

Crude steel production rose to 169.2 million tons, up 11.2 percent year‑on‑year . Finished steel consumption increased to 164.2 million tons, an 8 percent rise from the previous year .

The data shows strong domestic output and weaker import demand helped India move into a net‑export position for the year.