Parliament Question: Export and import of Steel

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3349 FOR ANSWER ON 20.03.2026 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF STEEL 3349. DR. V. SIVADASAN: Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a) the total quantity and value of steel exported from and imported into the country during each of the last five years and the current year, year-wise; (b) the country-wise details of major destinations for steel exports and major sources of steel imports during the said period; (c) whether the country has become a net exporter or net importer of steel during the last five years, year-wise; and (d) the details of new steel plants/industries established in the country during the last five years, indicating the State-wise location, production capacity and investment involved? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL (a)to(d): India's finished steel trade has witnessed fluctuations during the last five years. The country was a net exporter of finished steel in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with net exports of 6.03 million tonnes (Mt) and 8.82 Mt, respectively. However, exports moderated thereafter with net imports of about 0.83 Mt and 4.69 Mt, in 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively. During the current year, exports stood at 6.02 Mt while imports were about 5.62 Mt in the period April-February, 2025-26. Major destinations for India's finished steel exports during this period include Italy, Belgium, Spain, Nepal, UAE while the top sources of steel imports were Korea, China, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Russia during the same period. During the last five years, 394 plants from 22 States have started reporting crude steel production with overall capacity of 39.99 Mt, reflecting continued growth in India's steel capacity expansion. The year-wise details of the quantity and value of steel exported and imported during the last five years and current year are as follows:- Finished Steel Export Finished Steel Import Year Quantity Quantity Value Value (Rs crore) (in Mt) (in Mt) (Rs crore) 2020-21 10.78 47,170 4.75 32,154 2021-22 13.49 99,452 4.67 46,298 2022-23 6.72 55,828 6.02 64,454 2023-24 7.49 59,157 8.32 68,193 2024-25 4.86 40,585 9.55 80,737 April-February 6.02 44,424 5.62 52,627 2025-26* Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); Mt=million tonnes, *provisional *****