Introduction:
The global steel industry began 2025 on a slightly negative note, with world crude steel production totaling 151.4 million metric tons in January 2025. This represented a 4.4% decline compared to January 2024, according to the latest figures from the World Steel Association. Despite this overall decrease, there were notable variations across different regions, with some countries like India showing growth, while others like Iran faced steep declines.
Steel, a cornerstone of industrial development, is vital for sectors such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing. As such, these production trends can offer insights into the global economic health, supply chain challenges, and regional market dynamics.
Global Crude Steel Production: Regional Breakdown
In January 2025, the 69 countries reporting to worldsteel accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2023. These countries exhibited varied results across different regions:
Africa
• Crude Steel Production: 1.9 Mt
• % Change: -3.5%
• Insights: Africa showed a modest decrease in steel production, maintaining its smaller share of global output.
Asia and Oceania
• Crude Steel Production: 112.3 Mt
• % Change: -4.5%
• Insights: The region, which encompasses major steel producers like China, India, and Japan, experienced a notable reduction in output. This decline was led by a contraction in China's production.
European Union (EU)
• Crude Steel Production: 10.3 Mt
• % Change: -3.3%
• Insights: The EU (27) showed a modest decrease in output, reflecting ongoing industrial challenges within Europe’s steel sector.
Europe, Other
• Crude Steel Production: 3.5 Mt
• % Change: -6.8%
• Insights: Countries outside the EU, like Turkey and the UK, faced a more significant drop in steel production.
Middle East
• Crude Steel Production: 4.2 Mt
• % Change: -15.3%
• Insights: The Middle East region saw the sharpest decline, with countries like Iran struggling due to economic factors and reduced demand for steel.
North America
• Crude Steel Production: 9.0 Mt
• % Change: -0.5%
• Insights: North America, which includes the United States and Mexico, experienced a minimal decline in steel production.
Russia & Other CIS + Ukraine
• Crude Steel Production: 7.0 Mt
• % Change: +1.4%
• Insights: Russia and other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) saw a slight increase in production, largely driven by local demand for steel.
South America
• Crude Steel Production: 3.2 Mt
• % Change: -9.8%
• Insights: South America saw a notable drop, with countries like Brazil and Argentina facing production challenges.
The Top 10 Steel-Producing Countries in January 2025
The top 10 steel-producing countries in January 2025 displayed a mix of production growth and decline:
1. China
o Crude Steel Production: 81.9 Mt
o % Change: -5.6%
o Insights: Despite producing over half of the world's steel, China saw a significant reduction in output, driven by slower demand and environmental restrictions on steel mills.
2. India
o Crude Steel Production: 13.6 Mt
o % Change: +6.8%
o Insights: India continues to see growth, with a notable increase in production driven by infrastructure and manufacturing demand.
3. Japan
o Crude Steel Production: 6.8 Mt
o % Change: -6.6%
o Insights: Japan's production declined, reflecting ongoing challenges in the automotive and construction sectors.
4. United States
o Crude Steel Production: 6.6 Mt
o % Change: +1.2%
o Insights: The US saw slight growth, with stable demand in the domestic market and improvements in supply chain disruptions.
5. Russia
o Crude Steel Production: 6.0 Mt
o % Change: -0.6%
o Insights: Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, Russia managed a minor decrease in steel production.
6. South Korea
o Crude Steel Production: 5.2 Mt
o % Change: -8.8%
o Insights: South Korea, a major steel exporter, faced a significant decline, affected by reduced demand in key markets.
7. Türkiye
o Crude Steel Production: 3.2 Mt
o % Change: -1.4%
o Insights: Turkey's steel output saw a slight drop, impacted by both domestic and international market conditions.
8. Germany
o Crude Steel Production: 2.8 Mt
o % Change: -8.8%
o Insights: Germany, Europe's largest steel producer, faced a substantial decline due to energy costs and slower industrial activity.
9. Brazil
o Crude Steel Production: 2.6 Mt
o % Change: -4.5%
o Insights: Brazil's steel production fell, impacted by slower economic growth and fluctuations in demand.
10. Iran
• Crude Steel Production: 2.2 Mt
• % Change: -24.1%
• Insights: Iran experienced the steepest decline, with factors like sanctions and limited access to global markets hindering production.
Key Takeaways:
• Global crude steel production in January 2025 totaled 151.4 million metric tons, a 4.4% decrease compared to January 2024.
• Africa saw a slight decrease in production, with a 3.5% drop, producing 1.9 Mt of steel.
• Asia and Oceania had a larger drop of 4.5%, producing 112.3 Mt, with China's production falling by 5.6%.
• The EU (27) produced 10.3 Mt, down 3.3% year-on-year.
• The Middle East experienced the sharpest decline, with production down 15.3% to 4.2 Mt.
• Russia saw a small increase of 1.4%, producing 7.0 Mt, despite global challenges.
• India reported the largest increase in steel production among the top 10 countries, with a 6.8% rise to 13.6 Mt.
• Iran faced a 24.1% decline, producing 2.2 Mt.
• South Korea, Germany, and Brazil all experienced declines in production, reflecting slower demand in key markets.
• Overall, steel production in 69 countries reporting to worldsteel accounts for 98% of the total world crude steel output from 2023.
