India's crude steel production rose by 6% year-on-year in April 2026 to reach 12.1 million metric tons (Mt). Domestic finished steel consumption outpaced production growth, increasing by 8% to 11.3 million mt, driven by strong infrastructure activity. During the month, finished steel output stood at 11.6 million mt (+5.5% YoY), while imports jumped 12% to 0.6 million mt and exports fell by 15% to 0.5 million mt. The data confirms India's status as a primary driver of global steel demand, with strong domestic absorption reducing export surpluses and making the country a net importer for the period, which may support global steel prices amid tightening regional supply.

Turkey's crude steel production grew by 5.3% year-on-year to 9.7 million metric tons (mt) in the first quarter of 2026, supported by a 6.4% output increase in March to 3.3 million mt. Meanwhile, domestic finished steel consumption surged 8.9% year-on-year to 9.9 million mt in Q1, but the foreign trade balance weakened as steel exports dropped 6.8% to 3.5 million mt while imports climbed 2.6% to 4.3 million mt, pushing the export-to-import ratio down to 77.7%. Although Middle East supply chain shifts and reduced Chinese export aggression opened market opportunities in Europe, producers face mounting operational pressures and narrowing profit margins due to scrap prices approaching $400/mt, surging freight rates, and stringent EU import regulations.

【SMM Steel】Turkey's March finished steel consumption rose 20.9% y/y to 3.2Mt, crude steel output up 6.4% to 3.3Mt. Q1 exports fell 6.8% in volume and 9.4% in value. Middle East tensions are reshaping supply chains. Turkey is gaining market share in Europe but surging scrap/energy prices and freight/insurance costs are squeezing margins. Steel imports surged 38.2% y/y in March. New EU trade restrictions are a critical issue. The association called for proactive steps to shield the domestic industry from dumping amid rapidly spreading steel protectionism.

【SMM Steel】Wuppermann Metalltechnik opened a new tube plant at its Altmünster, Austria site. Construction began in July 2023, with an estimated cost of €40m. The new line enables a wider size range: complex geometries up to 130mm cross-section and 1-4mm thickness, with pickled, galvanized, or Zn-Mg coatings. For climate-neutral heating, geothermal probes totaling ~5,000m were installed. The first pipe was made in July 2025. Austria's steel output rose 5.9% y/y to 620,000t in 2025, ranking 20th globally.

[SMM Steel] According to American Iron and Steel Institute, US raw steel production totaled 1.83 mln net tons in the week ending April 25, 2026, down 1.0% week on week, with capacity utilization at 79.3%. Despite the weekly decline, output was up 8.7% year on year, reflecting stronger underlying demand. Year-to-date production reached 29.55 mln net tons, rising 6.0% YoY, with utilization at 77.8%, indicating stable operating conditions in the US steel sector.

Germany's crude steel production increased by 7.5% year-on-year in March 2026 to 3.35 million metric tons (mt), bringing the Q1 2026 output to 9.26 million mt, up 9% year-on-year. Despite the increase, the German Steel Federation (WV Stahl) warned this does not reflect a true recovery but rather inventory restocking. Current annualized output levels of approximately 37 million mt remain below the 40 million mt capacity threshold required for sustainable capacity utilization. Structural demand weakness continues, with steel consumption down by 30% (12 million mt) since 2017 amid underperforming mechanical and automotive sectors.

Malaysia is aiming to pivot towards higher-value flat product production in its latest industrial policy (NIMP 2030) update, intending to decrease its dependence on commodity-grade imports. This strategic shift includes various incentives designed to encourage the upgrading of existing facilities to manufacture automotive and special industrial grade steel, such as a Special Tax Rate (STR), Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) reductions, and potential exemptions from any capacity freeze orders. Given Malaysia's previous role as a substantial importer of flat products from neighbouring regional hubs, this policy is anticipated to significantly impact regional trade dynamics as the nation strives to balance its trade deficit and bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities.

[SMM Steel] American Iron and Steel Institute reported that US crude steel production reached 1.848 million net tons in the week ending April 18, 2026, up 0.3% week-on-week, with capacity utilization at 80.0%. Output increased 9.7% year-on-year, while year-to-date production totaled 27.72 million net tons, up 5.8% YoY, indicating steady recovery in US steel production.

[SMM Steel] According to American Iron and Steel Institute, US raw steel production reached 1.843 million net tons in the week ending April 11, 2026, with capacity utilization at 79.8%, up 0.7% WoW. Output increased 9.4% YoY, while year-to-date production rose 5.5% to 25.87 million tons. In the short term, steady output growth and high utilization indicate stable supply conditions.

War damage to Iran’s key steel mills threatens ~14 Mt of capacity, sharply reducing crude steel output and exportable supply. While domestic demand remains relatively stable, energy shortages and logistics disruptions amplify losses, tightening regional supply, supporting semi-finished steel prices, and reshaping trade flows.