Global Steel Production Falls 1.3% in July 2025

July 2025 Sees Global Steel Production Drop to 150.1 Million Tons

Global steel production declined by 1.3% year-over-year in July 2025, totaling 150.1 million tons, according to the latest data from the World Steel Association. Month-on-month, output slipped by 0.8%, reflecting a persistent slowdown across key producing regions. The decline comes amid ongoing supply chain constraints, geopolitical disruptions, and weaker-than-expected demand from construction and manufacturing sectors.

China, the world’s top steel producer, registered a 4% year-on-year decrease to 79.7 million tons. Japan, South Korea, and Russia also posted declines ranging from 2.4% to 4.7%. Meanwhile, Germany reported the steepest year-on-year drop among major producers at 13.7%, producing only 2.7 million tons in July. This broad-based reduction suggests a cautious global sentiment and shifting dynamics in industrial production.

In contrast, several nations saw positive output trends. India’s steel production rose 14% to 14 million tons, while Iran posted the strongest growth at 29.7% year-on-year. The U.S. and Turkey also recorded moderate increases, signaling stronger domestic demand or improved mill utilization in those countries.

Focus Keyphrase Update: Global Steel Production in the CIS and Ukraine

Steel production in the CIS region plus Ukraine experienced a 5.1% year-on-year decline in July 2025, maintaining output at June’s level of 6.7 million tons. Ukraine alone saw a steep drop of 18.1% year-over-year and 6.6% month-over-month, reaching just 580,500 tons. This signals both structural challenges and the lingering impact of ongoing regional conflicts.

Year-to-date figures echo the declining trend. From January to July 2025, global steel production fell by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 1.086 billion tons. The CIS+Ukraine region saw a 4.8% contraction to 48.6 million tons. Ukraine’s total output for the period dropped 7% to 4.27 million tons, further reflecting the nation’s struggling industrial capacity.

Despite these declines, several producers bucked the trend. The U.S. increased its output by 4.8% year-on-year to 7.1 million tons in July. Turkey and Brazil presented mixed results, with Turkey climbing 4.2% and Brazil slipping 5.5%. These divergences highlight the uneven nature of steel production recovery across global economies.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The latest drop in global steel production reinforces a broader pattern of industrial caution. While markets such as India and Iran show growth, major economies like China and Germany face structural slowdowns and shifting demand. The data suggests a fragmented global steel landscape where growth increasingly depends on domestic policy, energy access, and regional demand cycles. Looking ahead, global steel producers may pivot toward higher-value, lower-emission products to navigate tightening environmental regulations and declining traditional demand.