Global crude steel production rises 1.7% in June as EU and US output grows

Global crude steel production increased in June 2026, although output for the first half of the year remained slightly below the previous year’s level, according to data from the World Steel Association (worldsteel).

The 70 countries reporting to worldsteel produced 155.7 million tonnes of crude steel in June, an increase of 1.7% compared with June 2025. These countries accounted for approximately 98% of global crude steel production in 2025.

For January to June 2026, combined production reached 931.5 million tonnes, down 0.7% year on year.

EU and North America increase production

EU crude steel production rose 4.6% year on year to 10.8 million tonnes in June. However, first-half production of 65.4 million tonnes remained 0.3% below the corresponding 2025 level.

North American production increased 5.0% to 9.5 million tonnes in June and was up 5.7% to 56.5 million tonnes in the first six months.

Asia and Oceania, by far the largest producing region, recorded June output of 115.2 million tonnes, up 1.5%. First-half production nevertheless declined 0.9% to 690.1 million tonnes.

The strongest regional percentage increase in June came from Africa, where production rose 20.0% to 2.2 million tonnes. By contrast, Middle Eastern output fell 13.4% to 4.0 million tonnes.

Turkey and Germany record strong growth

China remained the world’s largest steel producer with June output of 83.7 million tonnes, 0.4% higher year on year. However, Chinese production for the first half fell 3.0% to 500.0 million tonnes.

India continued to expand, increasing June production by 4.5% to 14.1 million tonnes. First-half output climbed 7.1% to 87.0 million tonnes.

Among other major producers, the United States increased June output 3.5% to 7.2 million tonnes, while Japan produced 6.8 million tonnes, up 1.3%.

European producers recorded particularly strong monthly growth. Turkey increased production by 14.7% to 3.3 million tonnes, while German output rose 9.5% to 2.9 million tonnes. During the first half, production increased by 8.1% in Turkey and 8.9% in Germany.

Vietnam recorded the largest increase among the ten leading steel-producing countries, with June output rising 27.5% to 2.6 million tonnes. Its first-half production increased 26.9% to 15.2 million tonnes.

Russia moved in the opposite direction, with estimated June production falling 3.4% to 5.6 million tonnes and first-half output declining 8.4% to 32.1 million tonnes.

Source: Worldsteel, Photo: Fotolia