Import squeeze, not demand boom, drives India’s steel export shift

Key Highlights

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• Subscribe now India turned a net exporter of finished steel during April–December 2025 after a sharp fall in imports following government curbs, according to a Ministry of Steel report reviewed by Mint.
• The decline in imports narrowed the gap between inbound and outbound shipments, allowing the country to swing into a net exporter position after years when cheap steel inflows had raised concerns over the profitability of domestic producers.
• During the nine-month period, India exported 4.79 million tonnes (mt) of finished steel, up 33% from 3.60 mt a year earlier.
• Imports fell 37% to 4.65 mt from 7.42 mt in the same period last year.