Steel exports from India in the January-April period this year fell by 30 percent over the same period last year to 2.62 million tonnes, data shared by metals analytics firm BigMint shows. Major Indian exporters, such as JSW Steel and Tata Steel, also saw a reduction in exports over the same period, amid global dumping my Chinese steelmakers. Indian exporters depend on flat steel exports demand for which is still in the recovery phase.
Indian steel exports for January-April 2024 were 3.83 million tonnes, including stainless steel exports, with flat steel products dominating the export picture both in 2025 and 2024. Flat steel exports for January to April this year were 1.81 million tonnes, significantly lower than the 3.09 million tonnes reported in the same period last year. Exports for long steel remained flat year-on-year at 2,30,000 tonnes, while stainless steel exports rose marginally year-on-year to 2,50,000 tonnes.
Among major exporters, JSW Steel's exports saw a near-38 percent decline year-on-year to 1.11 million tonnes, while those of Tata Steel, the next biggest exporter, declined by nearly 44 percent year-on-year to 3,20,000 tonnes, according to data from BigMint. Other steel exporters in India, such as ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, as well as Jindal Steel and Power, also saw a decline in exports during the same period, although their exports are limited.
Analysts say that steel demand in Europe and North America, among other markets, is yet to recover from economic and geo-political shocks. With Chinese demand struggling to gain momentum after the real estate sector's meltdown, stable steel production in China created a surplus, which is being pushed to global markets, despite the ongoing global trade wars between China and the United States, as well as the European Union.
A bright spot for Indian exporters, however, came in April, as Indian steel exports to the European Union countries increased to a one-year high to 3,60,000 tonnes, even as exports to other key markets, such as United Arab Emirates, reduced over March, as it did to the United States amid its blanket 25 percent tariff on all steel imports.
"With the start of the new quarter, the EU's steel import quotas were reset. This led to a spike in exports to the EU, as Indian mills redirected shipments there amid poor demand in the Middle East," according to a report from BigMint. The report added that India has exhausted its quota for some products, such as 4A metallic coated sheets, and has used up 80 percent of the quota for 4B metallic coated sheets.
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