WSA: Iran’s steel output up 15% in January as global production falls
Global crude steel production fell in January 2026, while Iran’s output grew by more than 15%, helping the country maintain its position as the world’s 10th-largest steel producer, according to the World Steel Association (WSA).
The association reported that crude steel production across 69 countries reached 147.3 million tons in January, down 6.5% compared with the same month in 2025.
Iranian steelmakers produced 2.6 million tons of crude steel in January 2026, marking a 15.1% increase from January 2025, Mehr news agency reported.
China, the world’s largest producer, saw output decline 13.9% to 75.3 million tons. India produced 15.1 million tons, up 10.5%, while the United States increased production by 3.3% to 7.1 million tons.
South Korea produced 5.6 million tons, a 5% rise, whereas Japan’s output fell 0.5% to 6.8 million tons and Brazil’s production dropped 1.4% to 2.7 million tons. Germany recorded a 15% increase to 3.1 million tons, Russia’s output decreased 7.4% to 5.5 million tons, and Turkey produced 3.4 million tons, up 5.8%.
The data show that while global steel production is trending downward, Iran’s sustained growth has allowed it to retain its 10th-place ranking among the world’s top steel producers.
Separately, the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) said in mid-February that exports from Iran’s steel value chain rose sharply in the first 10 months of the current Iranian year, which began March 21. The association reported that export value of iron and steel chain products during the period that began March 21 surpassed $6.5 billion — the total for the whole of last year — marking a 22% increase.