Global Pig Iron Production Falls to 117.3 Million Tons in August 2025

Global Pig Iron Production Declines in August 2025

Global pig iron production in August 2025 dropped by 0.8% compared to the same month in 2024, reaching 117.3 million tons. Despite this annual decline, production increased by 1.9% from July 2025, reflecting a modest monthly recovery. According to data from the World Steel Association and Ukrmetallurgprom, the majority of pig iron was produced using the blast furnace method, contributing 106.6 million tons. This marked a 4.2% increase compared to August 2024 and a 0.9% rise from July 2025.

Key Production Methods and Country Contributions

In August, direct reduction methods produced 10.7 million tons of pig iron, which was a 4.7% year-on-year increase. However, it saw a larger monthly growth of 13.5%. From January to August 2025, global pig iron output reached 931.04 million tons, representing a 1% decrease from the same period in 2024. Blast furnace production accounted for 846.6 million tons, while direct reduction contributed 84.44 million tons.

China remains the largest producer of pig iron, contributing 579.07 million tons, although this marked a slight decline of 1.1% year-on-year. India, on the other hand, reported a significant increase in pig iron production, growing 7.7% to 102.23 million tons. Russia and Japan saw slight reductions in their output, while South Korea experienced a 1.5% drop. Ukraine, though ranked 13th globally, reported a positive year-on-year increase of 7.9%, producing 5.11 million tons in the January-August period.

Trends in Global Pig Iron Production and Key Markets

Overall, global pig iron production faced a decline in 2024, with a 1.3% decrease from the previous year, totaling 1.391 billion tons. The blast furnace method produced the majority of pig iron at 1.265 billion tons, down 1.6% from 2023. Meanwhile, direct reduction production increased by 4.5%, reaching 125.57 million tons. China, India, and Russia remained the dominant players in pig iron production, although the competitive landscape is shifting with emerging producers like India increasing their output.

In 2024, China was responsible for producing 851.74 million tons of pig iron, although this marked a 2.3% year-on-year drop. India’s pig iron production grew 6.7% in 2024, totaling 144.91 million tons. Other significant producers like Japan and Russia also faced declines, with Japan producing 61.03 million tons and Russia contributing 58.99 million tons, both showing decreases compared to 2023.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The recent drop in global pig iron production, despite the modest recovery in August 2025, underscores the challenges faced by major producers like China and Russia. While India shows promising growth, it’s clear that the competitive dynamics within the global pig iron market are shifting. Direct reduction processes are gaining momentum, but blast furnace production still dominates the sector. As global demand fluctuates, especially in key markets like China and India, the production methods and export strategies of leading producers will play a critical role in shaping future market trends.