Global steel production in April 2026 fell by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2025, to 153.449 million tons, according to data from the World Steel Association (Worldsteel).
China remains the leader in global steel production, having reduced output in April by 2.8% compared to April of last year—to 83.630 million tons. India took second place with a 3.9% increase in production to 13.829 million tons. The U.S. increased production by 9.4% to 7.160 million tons and ranked third.
The top ten steel producers in April also included Japan—6.620 million tons (+0.3%), South Korea—5.245 million tons (+4.8%), Russia—5.020 million tons (-12.4%), Turkey—3.291 million tons (+9.4%), Germany—3.233 million tons (+9.5%), Brazil – 2.720 million tons (+2.8%), and Vietnam – 2.130 million tons (+4%).
Iran recorded the largest percentage decline among the countries included in Worldsteel’s statistics in April, with steel production falling by 45.7% to 1.8 million tons.
In April 2026, Ukraine ranked 25th among 69 countries in the Worldsteel ranking. Ukrainian steel mills produced 517,000 tons of steel during the month, which is 25.3% less than in April 2025, when the figure stood at 692,000 tons. Compared to March 2026, when 702,000 tons were produced, the decline amounted to 26.3%.
In the January–April 2026 period, global steel production decreased by 2% compared to the same period last year, to 613.323 million tons.
The top ten steel-producing countries for the four-month period are as follows: China – 331.120 million tons (-4.1%), India – 58.681 million tons (+9.4%), the U.S. – 28.140 million tons (+6.6%), Japan – 26.670 million tons (-1.2%), South Korea – 21.041 million tons (+2.5%), Russia – 20.570 million tons (-12%), Turkey – 13.037 million tons (+6.3%), Germany – 12.493 million tons (+9.1%), Brazil – 10.793 million tons (-1.6%), and Vietnam – 8.520 million tons (+8.4%).
In January–April 2026, Ukraine reduced its steel output by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2025—from 2.425 million tons to 2.246 million tons. At the end of the four-month period, the country ranked 24th in the global ranking.
As reported, at the end of 2025, the world’s largest steel producers were China—960.810 million tons (-4.4%), India—164.887 million tons (+10.4%), the United States—81.951 million tons (+3.1%), Japan—80.679 million tons (-4%), Russia—67.820 million tons (-4.5%), South Korea—61.882 million tons (-2.8%), Turkey—38.118 million tons (+3.3%), Germany – 34.090 million tons (-8.6%), Brazil – 33.347 million tons (-1.6%), and Iran – 31.8 million tons (+1.4%).
In total, 70 countries produced 1,803.774 million tons of steel in 2025, which is 2% less than in 2024.
In 2025, Ukraine produced 7.409 million tons of steel, which is 2.2% less than in 2024. At the end of last year, the country ranked 21st in the global ranking of steel producers.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian steelmakers reduced their production of rolled steel by 9.1% in January–April of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 1.802 million tons.
According to information from the Ukrmetallurgprom association on Monday, 460,800 tons of rolled steel were produced in April, 544,500 tons in March, 390,300 tons in February, and 406,400 tons in January.
As reported, Ukraine’s steel companies increased total rolled steel production by 4.8% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 6.521 million tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased total rolled steel production by 15.8% compared to 2023—to 6.222 million tons from 5.372 million tons.
In 2023, Ukraine increased total rolled steel production by 0.4% compared to 2022—to 5.372 million tons.
In 2022, the country reduced total rolled steel production by 72% compared to 2021—to 5.350 million tons.
In 2021, before the war, 19.079 million tons of rolled steel were produced (103.5%).
Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical holding company, reported a 7% decrease in steel production for January–March of this year compared to the same period last year—down to 454,000 tons from 488,000 tons— but maintained pig iron production at 438,000 tons (436,000 tons in Q1 2025).
According to a press release from the parent company Metinvest B.V. on Thursday regarding operating results for the first quarter of 2026, due to the start of the Russian Federation’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the capacity utilization of the group’s Ukrainian enterprises continues to be affected by security factors, personnel availability, power supply, as well as logistical and economic factors.
It is noted that in January–March 2026, pig iron and steel production at Kametstal decreased by 12% and 20%, respectively, compared to the previous quarter—to 438,000 tons and 454,000 tons, due to unstable power supply in January–February 2026.
In addition, it is reported that in the first quarter of 2026, production of commercial semi-finished products amounted to 185,000 tons, which is 32% less than in the previous quarter due to a decrease in the output of commercial billets against the backdrop of lower steel production volumes and the prioritization of its consumption in subsequent production stages; at the same time, this was partially offset by a 2.2-fold increase in commercial pig iron production.
However, production of commercial semi-finished products was 7% higher than in the same period of 2025, thanks to a 96% increase in commercial pig iron production.
Overall, in the first quarter of 2026, finished product production increased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 11% compared to the same period in 2025—reaching 660,000 tons. In particular, flat-rolled steel production amounted to 292,000 tons, matching the previous quarter’s level and representing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by the resumption of hot-rolled coil production at Ferriera Valsider and an increase in orders for hot-rolled thick plate.
Long product production amounted to 349,000 tons, an 8% increase compared to the previous quarter and a 4% increase compared to the same period last year, thanks to increased volumes at Kametstal and Promet Steel (Bulgaria); Pipe production amounted to 19,000 tons following the acquisition of the Tubular Iasi pipe plant (Romania) in December 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, coke output decreased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 2% compared to the same period in 2025, to 256,000 tons, due to delays in coal deliveries amid unstable power supply.
In the first quarter, total iron ore concentrate production decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Output of commercial iron ore products fell by 7%—to 3.521 million tons—due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.
In the first quarter of 2026, total iron ore concentrate output decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Commercial iron ore production decreased by 7% to 3.521 million tons due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.
In the first quarter of this year, total iron ore concentrate production increased by 2% compared to the same period last year, while commercial iron ore output decreased by 6%. Production of iron ore pellets decreased by 24% due to the temporary shutdown of one of the roasting machines caused by damage to the power supply systems. As a result, the volume of marketable iron ore concentrate output increased by 8%.
As reported, Metinvest increased steel production by 4% in January–March 2025, to 488,000 tons. Total iron ore production for this period decreased by 15% compared to January–March 2024 but increased by 11% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.761 million tons. At the same time, production of commercial iron ore concentrate (IOC) decreased by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 7% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 2.064 million tons. Overall, total IOC production in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 21% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 17% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.815 million tons.
At the same time, Metinvest increased its production of pellet feed by 7% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching 1.697 million tons, but reduced its total output of coking coal concentrate by 52% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 51% compared to the previous quarter, to 518,000 tons. Coke production in January–March 2025 decreased by 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, to 260,000 tons.
In the first quarter of 2025, Kametstal’s pig iron production amounted to 436,000 tons, production of commercial semi-finished products to 173,000 tons, and production of finished products to 597,000 tons. Specifically, production of flat products was 261,000 tons, and long products reached 336,000 tons.
It was also reported that in 2025, Metinvest reduced steel production by 4% compared to the previous year—to 2.018 million tons—and pig iron production by 2%, to 1.782 million tons. In 2025, output of commercial semi-finished products decreased by 3% compared to the previous year—to 839,000 tons. At the same time, commercial pig iron output doubled to 84,000 tons.
In 2025, finished product output increased by 13% compared to 2024—to 2.429 million tons. Specifically, flat-rolled steel production increased by 20%—to 1.107 million tons, while long-rolled steel production rose by 7%—to 1.322 million tons. Coke production decreased by 2% to 1.100 million tons.
In 2025, total iron ore concentrate production was comparable to the previous year’s volume and amounted to 15.695 million tons.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its facilities are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The holding’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
Steel production in China fell by 6.3% in March compared with the same month last year, to 87.04 million tonnes, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. In the first quarter, steel production fell by 4.6% to 247.55 million tonnes.
Steel exports in March fell by 12.6% to 9.13 million tonnes, and by 9.9% over the three-month period to 24.71 million tonnes.
Pig iron output last month fell by 3.3% to 73.28 million tonnes. In January–March, it fell by 2.9% to 210.98 million tonnes.
Steel product output in March fell by 2.3% to 130.98 million tonnes, and by 1.7% in the first quarter to 351.44 million tonnes.
As reported, by the end of 2025, steel production in China had fallen by 4.4% to 960.81 million tonnes, the lowest level in seven years.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian metallurgical companies reduced steel production in January-February of this year by 13.2% compared to the same period last year, to 1.026 million tons.
According to information from the Ukrmetallurgprom association on Monday evening, 515,000 tons of steel were produced in February, compared to 511,100 tons in the previous month.
As reported, Ukrainian steel companies reduced steel production by 2.2% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 7.409 million tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased steel production by 21.6% compared to 2023, to 7.575 million tons.
In 2023, Ukraine reduced steel production by 0.6% compared to 2022, to 6.228 million tons.
In 2022, the country reduced steel production by 70.7% compared to 2021, to 6.263 million tons.
In pre-war 2021, 21.366 million tons of steel were produced, which was 103.6% of the 2020 level.
In 2025, the Metinvest mining and metallurgical group reduced steel production by 4% compared to the previous year, to 2.018 million tons. The decline was due to the large-scale war, reduced electricity supply, as well as logistical and economic factors.
According to the group’s annual report, the parent company Metinvest B.V. reported that based on the results of operating activities for Q4 2025 and for the year as a whole, in Q4, pig iron production at Kametstal remained at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 496,000 tons, while steel production increased by 3% to 564 thousand tons.
At the same time, it is noted that in 2025, pig iron and steel production decreased by 2% and 4%, respectively, compared to the previous year and amounted to 1.782 million tons and 2.018 million tons. The slight decrease was due to the overhaul of blast furnace No. 9 at Kametstal in April-June 2025.
It is also noted that in Q4 2025, the volume of commercial semi-finished products remained almost at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 271 thousand tons. At the same time, commercial pig iron production decreased by 41% due to increased consumption in subsequent stages, which led to an 8% increase in the output of commercial billets.
In 2025, the output of semi-finished products decreased by 3% compared to the previous year, to 839 thousand tons, due to a decline in steel production and an increase in domestic consumption of billets in subsequent stages of production. At the same time, the output of commercial cast iron doubled and amounted to 84 thousand tons.
In Q4 2025, finished product output grew by 4% compared to the previous quarter and amounted to 613 thousand tons, due to scheduled overhauls at rolling mills in Italy and Bulgaria in August. In particular, flat steel production grew by 10% to 291,000 tons, while long steel production remained almost unchanged at 322,000 tons.
In 2025, finished product output grew by 13% compared to 2024, reaching 2.429 million tons. In particular, flat steel production increased by 20% to 1.107 million tonnes thanks to the resumption of hot-rolled coil production at Ferriera Valsider (Italy) and the efficient operation of Metinvest Trametal (Italy) and Spartan UK (Great Britain). Long product production increased by 7% to 1.322 million tonnes due to increased volumes at Kametstal and the stable performance of Promet Steel (Bulgaria).
In Q4 2025, coke production decreased by 3% compared to the previous quarter to 279 thousand tonnes. Overall, coke production declined by 2% over the past year to 1.100 million tons compared to the previous year due to the decommissioning of coke oven battery No. 1 at Kametstal. This was partially offset by a 23% increase in coke production at Zaporizhzhya Coke Plant to 898,000 tons.
It is also reported that in Q4 2025, total iron ore concentrate production remained almost at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 3.981 million tons, while the output of commercial iron ore products decreased by 4% to 3.773 million tons. The production of iron ore pellets decreased by 21% to 1.339 million tons due to the temporary shutdown of one of the roasting machines as a result of damage to the power supply systems caused by shelling. As a result, the output of commercial iron ore concentrate increased by 9% to 2.434 million tons.
In 2025, total iron ore concentrate production was comparable to the previous year’s volume and amounted to 15.695 million tons. At the same time, the shutdown of operations at the Ingulets quarry in July 2024 was offset mainly by increased production at the Hannivsk quarry. Production of commercial iron ore products increased by 3% to 15.229 million tons, with commercial pellets increasing by 5% and concentrate production remaining virtually unchanged.
In December 2024, due to the intensification of hostilities and the approach of the front line, the production site of the Pokrovsk Coal Group, located in Donbas, was suspended. Subsequently, against the backdrop of power supply disruptions and a further deterioration in the security situation, the production activities of the mine and enrichment plant were suspended.
In addition, the group is in the final stages of selling United Coal Company (USA). In this regard, the asset was deconsolidated starting with the financial statements for the first half of 2025.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its enterprises are located in Ukraine – in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions – as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the US. The main shareholders of the holding company are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
