India increased its iron ore production by 7% y/y in the FY2025/2026

In the 2025/2026 fiscal year (ending March 31), India increased its iron ore production by 7% yy/y – to 310 million tons, according to SteelOrbis.

Total production, according to government data, reached record levels during the year. The growth was driven by strong performance from major companies, but it remained concentrated among a limited group of them, highlighting uneven supply conditions.

For example, NMDC recorded the largest increase in production in the 2025/2026 fiscal year—up 21% year-on-year to 53 million tons, a record level reflecting increased output at its mining assets. OMC also reported an 11% year-over-year increase, to 40 million tons.

Tata Steel and SAIL recorded growth of 5% and 3%, respectively, indicating stable operations without a significant increase in capacity. In contrast, several producers reported a decline in production due to operational and regulatory factors.

JSW Steel’s ore production for the period fell by 28% year-over-year to 18 million tons, reflecting disruptions related to mine transitions. AMNS India’s volumes decreased by 9% year-on-year to 10 million tons due to disruptions at the Thakurani mine, which impacted overall volumes.

Odisha accounted for 157 million tons in the past fiscal year, Chhattisgarh for 53 million tons, and Karnataka for 49.5 million tons. This concentration indicates a continued reliance on a limited number of mining regions, where changes in regulations and operating conditions can affect total production volumes.

In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, ore production volumes for captive use and for sale diverged. The former fell by 3% year-over-year to 120 million tons, while the latter rose by 15% year-over-year to 190 million tons. The decline in production for domestic use reflects disruptions, regulatory delays, and the transfer of mines between integrated producers. At the same time, companies whose production is intended for sale increased supply to partially offset these constraints.

As a reminder, India reduced its exports of iron ore and pellets by 15% year-on-year in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, to 25.78 million tons. These figures were influenced by a decline in steel production in China in 2025, a drop in global prices for this raw material last year, and an increase in discounts for low-grade fine ore on the seaborne market.