World Steel Association

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 06:51

March 2026 crude steel production

23 April 2026 Brussels, Belgium

World crude steel production for the 69 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 159.9 million tonnes (Mt) in March 2026, a 4.2% decrease compared to March 2025.

Crude steel production by region

Africa produced 2.2 Mt in March 2026, up 11.6% on March 2025. Asia and Oceania produced 119.3 Mt, down 3.9%. The EU (27) produced 11.4 Mt, down 4.6%. Europe, Other produced 3.8 Mt, up 4.9%. The Middle East produced 3.5 Mt, down 33.5%. North America produced 9.5 Mt, up 3.5%. Russia & other CIS + Ukraine produced 6.6 Mt, down 7.9%. South America produced 3.6 Mt, down 0.5%.

Table 1. Crude steel production by region

Mar 2026
(Mt)
% change
Mar 26/25
Jan-Mar 2026
(Mt)
% change
Jan-Mar 26/25
Africa 2.2 11.6 6.3 7.4
Asia and Oceania 119.3 -3.9 341.7 -2.2
EU (27) 11.4 -4.6 31.7 -2.6
Europe, Other 3.8 4.9 10.9 3.9
Middle East 3.5 -33.5 12.0 -9.3
North America 9.5 3.5 27.5 2.3
Russia & other CIS + Ukraine 6.6 -7.9 18.9 -9.8
South America 3.6 -0.5 10.2 -1.9
Total 69 countries 159.9 -4.2 459.2 -2.3

The 69 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2025.

Regions and countries covered by the table:

  • Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia
  • Asia and Oceania: Australia, China, India, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Viet Nam
  • European Union (27): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
  • Europe, Other: Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, United Kingdom
  • Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
  • North America: Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States
  • Russia & other CIS + Ukraine: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine
  • South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Top 10 steel-producing countries

China produced 87.0 Mt in March 2026, down 6.3% on March 2025. India produced 15.3 Mt, up 9.4%. The United States produced 7.2 Mt, up 5.2%. Japan produced 6.9 Mt, down 4.1%. Russia is estimated to have produced 5.4 Mt, down 11.4%. South Korea produced 5.4 Mt, up 1.5%. Türkiye produced 3.3 Mt, up 6.4%. Germany produced 3.3 Mt, up 7.5%. Brazil produced 2.8 Mt, down 2.5%. Viet Nam is estimated to have produced 2.2 Mt, up 5.7%.

Table 2. Top 10 steel-producing countries

Mar 2026
(Mt)
% change
Mar 26/25
Jan-Mar 2026
(Mt)
% change
Jan-Mar 26/25
China 87.0 -6.3 247.6 -4.6
India 15.3 9.4 44.7 10.8
United States 7.2 5.2 21.0 5.7
Japan 6.9 -4.1 20.1 -1.7
South Korea 5.4 1.5 15.8 1.8
Russia (e) 5.4 -11.4 15.8 -10.7
Türkiye 3.3 6.4 9.7 5.3
Germany 3.3 7.5 9.3 9.0
Brazil 2.8 -2.5 8.1 -3.1
Viet Nam (e) 2.2 5.7 6.4 10.0

e - estimated. The ranking of the top 10 producing countries is based on year-to-date aggregate

#Ends#

Notes to Editors:

  • The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country. worldsteel represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Members represent around 85% of global steel production.
  • worldsteel makes a limited set of data available free of charge via the Steel Data Viewer. A subscription with access to the iron and crude steel production data for all other countries is available for €1,590 via the worldsteel bookshop. This subscription includes access to 20 years of data in the Steel Statistical Yearbook. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
  • Information on capacity can be found on the OECD website.
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World Steel Association published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 23, 2026 at 12:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]