Global crude steel output falls 4.6% in November 2025, Worldsteel reports

obal crude steel production declined again in November, reflecting continued weakness in key markets. According to data released by the World Steel Association (worldsteel), the 70 reporting countries produced 140.1 million tonnes of crude steel in November 2025, down 4.6% compared with the same month last year.

The downturn was largely driven by Asia, where output fell sharply. Asia and Oceania produced 99.9 million tonnes, a year-on-year decline of 7.1%. China alone accounted for much of this contraction, with production dropping 10.9% to 69.9 million tonnes – its weakest November performance in several years. On a year-to-date basis, Chinese crude steel output reached 891.7 million tonnes, down 4.0%.

In contrast, several regions outside Asia recorded growth. North American production rose 5.4% to 9.0 million tonnes in November, while the Middle East increased output by 8.2% to 5.5 million tonnes. Africa also posted solid growth of 7.4%, reaching 2.0 million tonnes. Europe outside the EU reported a 9.8% increase to 3.7 million tonnes.

The European Union (27) continued to lag behind, producing 10.2 million tonnes in November, a decline of 3.5% year on year. EU output for the January–November period totalled 116.1 million tonnes, down 3.3%, underlining the persistent pressure on European steelmakers from weak demand and imports.

Globally, crude steel production for the first eleven months of 2025 amounted to 1.66 billion tonnes, representing a 2.0% decline compared with the same period of 2024.

Among the top steel-producing countries, India continued to stand out. Indian output rose 10.8% year on year in November to 13.7 million tonnes, bringing year-to-date production to 150.1 million tonnes, up 10.3%. The United States also recorded strong growth, with November production up 8.5% to 6.8 million tonnes.

Other major producers showed mixed performance. Japan produced 6.8 million tonnes in November, down 1.6%, while Russia’s output is estimated to have fallen 6.6% to 5.2 million tonnes. Germany produced 2.8 million tonnes, down 2.6% year on year and nearly 10% lower for the year to date.

The 70 countries covered by worldsteel’s monthly statistics account for around 98% of total global crude steel production, making the November figures a reliable indicator of the continued slowdown in the global steel industry toward the end of 2025.

Source and Graphic: Worldsteel