According to data from Worldsteel’s annual compendium, Ukraine produced 7.9 million tons of pig iron in 2025, up from 7.1 million tons in 2024.
Pig iron exports from Ukraine rose to 2 million tons last year, compared to 1.3 million tons in 2024.
Apparent pig iron consumption in Ukraine in 2025 amounted to 5.9 million tons, compared to 5.8 million tons a year earlier.
According to Worldsteel, against the backdrop of rising pig iron production, steel output in Ukraine in 2025 fell to 7.4 million tons from 7.6 million tons in 2024. By this measure, Ukraine ranked 23rd in the world, down from 22nd a year earlier.
According to the 2025 results, Ukraine increased its apparent steel consumption by 13.9% compared to 2024—from 3.6 million tons to 4.1 million tons, according to data from Worldsteel’s annual compendium.
Per capita steel consumption in Ukraine reached 105.3 kg in 2025, compared to 95.9 kg a year earlier. Globally, this figure averaged 209 kg per person, compared to 214.8 kg in 2024.
According to Worldsteel, Ukraine produced 7.4 million tons of steel in 2025 and ranked 23rd in the global ranking of producers. In 2024, the country produced 7.6 million tons of steel and ranked 22nd.
There are no Ukrainian companies on the list of the world’s 50 largest steel producers for the 2022–2025 period, whereas the Metinvest Group was included in this ranking in 2014–2021.
The world’s largest steelmaker in 2025, as in 2024 and 2023, was China Baowu Group, with production of 124.76 million tons of steel. In second place is ArcelorMittal with 63.43 million tons, followed by Nippon Steel Corporation with 57.78 million tons, Ansteel Group with 57.61 million tons, and HBIS Group with 42.49 million tons.
According to the results for 2022–2025, Ukraine did not make it into the top 20 largest steel exporters, whereas in 2021 it ranked 10th, having sold 15.7 million tons of steel products on foreign markets.
At the same time, in the ranking of net exporters, Ukraine ranked 9th in the world in 2025 with a volume of 1.7 million tons, compared to 10th place and 3.4 million tons in 2024.
In addition, Ukraine exported 0.4 million tons of ferrous metal scrap in 2025, compared to 0.3 million tons in 2024.
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.
Global demand for steel in 2025 will remain at the previous year’s level — about 1.748 billion tons, after a 1.6% decline in 2024. These figures are given in the short-term forecast of the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) — Short Range Outlook (SRO).
In 2026, according to experts, demand will grow by 1.3% to 1.772 billion tons, driven by recovery in Europe, India, and the rapidly developing countries of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
According to Worldsteel’s forecast, in the CIS countries, including Ukraine, demand for steel will decline by 5.2% in 2025, to 56.1 million tons, and by another 1.7% in 2026, to 55.2 million tons.
At the same time, India will retain its status as the world’s fastest-growing steel market, with growth of around 9% annually in 2025-2026. Already next year, steel consumption in India will be almost 75 million tons higher than in 2020.
In developing countries (excluding China), demand for steel will increase by 3.4% in 2025 and by 4.7% in 2026, driven by active economic development in ASEAN countries, as well as in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
In Africa, steel consumption is growing by an average of 5.5% annually, reaching 41 million tons in 2025 — the highest level in the last decade. Growth is driven by investments in construction and improved macroeconomic indicators.
Andriy Ozeychuk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Steel Construction Center and Director of Rauta, commented on the market situation and prospects for the Ukrainian steel sector.
“The Ukrainian steel market in 2025–2026 will be shaped by the recovery of domestic demand in construction and machine building, as well as the growth of exports of metal structures to the EU. We predict that demand for steel in Ukraine may grow by 6-8% in 2026 due to infrastructure and industrial recovery projects,” Ozeychuk said.
According to him, the steel construction sector will be the driver of this growth:
“The use of metal structures will accelerate the restoration of logistics, industrial, and infrastructure facilities.”
Ozeychuk also stressed that the launch of joint programs with European partners in the field of “green” metallurgy, where Ukraine already has its first pilot initiatives for the production of steel with a low carbon footprint, could give the industry an additional boost.
According to the forecast, demand for steel in the EU+UK region will increase by 1.3% in 2025 and by 3.2% in 2026. This reflects the impact of increased investment in infrastructure and defense amid lower inflation and improved household incomes.
In the US, Worldsteel expects steel consumption to increase by 1.8% in both 2025 and 2026. The main drivers of growth will be government spending on infrastructure, a revival in housing construction, and private investment.
In China, steel demand will continue to decline, by approximately 2% in 2025, due to the prolonged downturn in the real estate market. In 2026, the rate of decline will slow to 1% as the construction sector is expected to bottom out.
Worldsteel warns that a more challenging global trade environment and financial pressure on local authorities could further limit infrastructure investment and reduce demand.
According to Alfonso Hidalgo de Calcerrada, chief economist of the Spanish Steel Manufacturers Association (UNESID) and chairman of the Worldsteel Economic Committee, the organization is “cautiously optimistic” about the market outlook:
“Despite trade disputes and uncertainty, we believe that global steel demand will bottom out in 2025 and show moderate growth in 2026,” the expert said.
He added that this will be facilitated by the resilience of the global economy, growth in infrastructure investment, and easing financial conditions. At the same time, the sector continues to be pressured by high costs, trade barriers, and geopolitical risks.
Worldsteel’s forecast emphasizes that the decline in demand in China is offset by strong growth in India and developing countries, where a new center of global steel production is emerging.
In addition, the protective measures introduced by the European Union — reducing duty-free import quotas and increasing customs duties to 50% — may change the balance between EU producers and exporters from Asia and Eastern Europe.
For more information on the largest steel producers and global industry trends, see the Experts Club video analysis review available on YouTube: Experts Club — Leaders of the global steel industry 1990–2024
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In July 2025, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises produced 581,000 tons of steel (down 18.1% year-on-year and down 6.4% month-on-month), ranking 23rd in the Worldsteel rating of 70 countries. In January–July, production amounted to 4.263 million tons (–7% y/y), with Ukraine ranking 22nd for this period.
According to Worldsteel, India, the US, Turkey, and Iran showed growth in July compared to last year, while the other countries in the top 10 recorded a decline.
The World Steel Association is an international association of the steel industry, bringing together steel producers, national and regional industry associations, and research institutes; its members account for about 85% of global steel production. Its headquarters are in Brussels, and it has an office in Beijing. The organization was founded in 1967 as the International Iron and Steel Institute and was renamed in 2008. Worldsteel regularly publishes monthly production statistics and an annual reference book, World Steel in Figures.
In July 2025, global steel production amounted to 150.126 million tons, which is 1.3% less than in July 2024.
According to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), the top ten countries are as follows:
China — 79.660 million tons (-4% y/y)
India — 14.000 million tons (+14%)
United States — 7.142 million tons (+4.8%)
Japan — 6.918 million tons (-2.5%)
Russia — 5.700 million tons (-2.4%)
South Korea — 5.256 million tons (-4.7%)
Turkey — 3.182 million tons (+4.2%)
Brazil — 2.930 million tons (-5.5%)
Germany — 2.719 million tons (-13.7%)
Iran — 2.235 million tons (+29.7%)
