India increased steel exports by 22% y/y in April-August

India increased its steel exports (including stainless steel) by 22% year-on-year – to 3.2 million tons in April-August (five months of 2025/2026), according to preliminary data reported by BigMint.

In particular, exports of hot-rolled coil (HRC)/sheet increased by 12% year-on-year (0.67 million tons) during the period, pipes by 26% year-on-year (0.8 million tons), and long products by 26% (0.29 million tons). Supplies of cold-rolled products (CRC) abroad fell by 10% in April-August, to 0.19 million tons.

Total exports of stainless steel in the specified period increased by 2% to 0.3 million tons.

Indian steel exports to the EU in the first five months of 2025/2026 increased by 32% y-o-y to 1.37 million tons, with the bloc being the largest export destination for Indian steelmakers.

Among the factors affecting steel export volumes from India is concern about the future final implementation of CBAM, which is prompting EU importers to increase purchases.

As for hot-rolled steel, due to the current uncertainty, importers are selectively booking shipments arriving before October. Indian steel producers, concerned about the competitiveness of their price offers, are also trying to actively secure bookings.

Hot-rolled steel exports to the Middle East remain on hold due to the slowdown in summer and China’s dominance in the region’s market.

It should be recalled that India reached its target steel production capacity of 205 million tons per year in the 2024/2025 financial year. According to a report by MP Financial Advisory Services, the country is confidently moving towards its strategic goal of 300 million tons per year by the 2030/2031 financial year.