Steel Imports Into India Jumped 49% Last Quarter
India's finished steel imports rose 49.2% year on year to 2.06 million tonnes in April-June 2026, according to Ministry of Steel data released on July 7. Consumption grew 8.3% to 41.6 million tonnes, outpacing production, which rose 5.9% to 41.0 million tonnes. That gap kept India a net importer for the quarter, with inbound steel valued at ₹20,214.5 crore against exports of ₹12,475.2 crore.
What Changes On The Ground
Domestic mill prices are softening under the inflow: 10 mm TMT bars fell 4.7% month on month in June to ₹60,068 a tonne, and hot rolled coil slipped to ₹70,108.
Buyers of flats and longs get a short-term cost window while low-priced offshore material keeps landing.
Exports still climbed 31.4% to 1.59 million tonnes, so order books at export-focused mills held through the quarter.
What Is Already Moving
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies opened an anti-dumping investigation during the quarter after producers alleged below-market pricing on inbound shipments.
June alone saw finished production of 13.8 million tonnes, up 6%, against consumption of 14.2 million tonnes, up 7.2%.
The Bigger Picture
Tariff walls in the US and tightening quotas in the EU are pushing surplus tonnage toward markets that remain open, and India is the largest one still open. The same redirected flows are reaching GCC and African buyers at similar discounts, so the price relief and the injury complaints are arriving together across every open market. The anti-dumping probe signals that India's openness is now under formal review.
Track The Data
Quarterly production, consumption, and trade figures published through the Ministry of Steel.