+
Steel sector ramps up exports as domestic demand slumps
Steel

Steel sector ramps up exports as domestic demand slumps

Due to a slowdown in construction activity and production cuts in the automobile industry due to an acute chip shortage, leading steelmakers in India are seeing sluggish demand in the domestic market, prompting top steelmakers to boost exports to keep stocks low.

JSW Steel produced 1.377 million tonnes in August, up 5% year on year but down slightly from July's output of 1.382 million tonnes. August production at Naveen Jindal's Jindal Steel and Power fell by about 2% sequentially to 660,000 tonnes.

Exports now account for around 46% of the total sales of JSPL volume of 710,000 tonnes.

VR Sharma, managing director of JSPL, cited that the company is committed to meeting its annual sales and production targets and anticipates a sharp rebound in domestic demand once the monsoon season is over.

Steel demand is typically low in the July-September quarter, when construction activity slows due to monsoon rains, according to experts.

From a peak of Rs 70,000 per tonne at the beginning of July, domestic benchmark HRC steel prices have marginally corrected to Rs 66,000-66,500 per tonne.

This is due to a drop in the price of iron ore.

Iron ore prices for September deliveries were cut by Rs 1,000-1,160 per tonne by the state-owned NMDC. Prices are also expected to fall in Odisha.

In a recent report, SteelMint reported that the Odisha iron ore fines Fe 62% index closed at Rs 6,900 per tonne, ex-mines, including royalty, DMF, and NMET in August end, down Rs 1,800 per tonne month-on-month.

In a recent report, global brokerage firm Credit Suisse expressed concern about the steel sector, citing the fact that steel prices have been falling in the country for the past three weeks.

Image Source


Also read: India to break steel demand record as economy recovers

Due to a slowdown in construction activity and production cuts in the automobile industry due to an acute chip shortage, leading steelmakers in India are seeing sluggish demand in the domestic market, prompting top steelmakers to boost exports to keep stocks low. JSW Steel produced 1.377 million tonnes in August, up 5% year on year but down slightly from July's output of 1.382 million tonnes. August production at Naveen Jindal's Jindal Steel and Power fell by about 2% sequentially to 660,000 tonnes. Exports now account for around 46% of the total sales of JSPL volume of 710,000 tonnes. VR Sharma, managing director of JSPL, cited that the company is committed to meeting its annual sales and production targets and anticipates a sharp rebound in domestic demand once the monsoon season is over. Steel demand is typically low in the July-September quarter, when construction activity slows due to monsoon rains, according to experts. From a peak of Rs 70,000 per tonne at the beginning of July, domestic benchmark HRC steel prices have marginally corrected to Rs 66,000-66,500 per tonne. This is due to a drop in the price of iron ore. Iron ore prices for September deliveries were cut by Rs 1,000-1,160 per tonne by the state-owned NMDC. Prices are also expected to fall in Odisha. In a recent report, SteelMint reported that the Odisha iron ore fines Fe 62% index closed at Rs 6,900 per tonne, ex-mines, including royalty, DMF, and NMET in August end, down Rs 1,800 per tonne month-on-month. In a recent report, global brokerage firm Credit Suisse expressed concern about the steel sector, citing the fact that steel prices have been falling in the country for the past three weeks. Image Source Also read: India to break steel demand record as economy recovers

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Embraer to Acquire 51 Per Cent Stake in Mahindra Aerospace Arm

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace, a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra, under an Investment Agreement notified by the automobile company in an exchange filing. The transaction will give Embraer control of the aerospace business. Following completion of the acquisition, Novavayu Aerospace will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary and become an associate of Mahindra Defence Systems, which is a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra. The agreement is expected to be completed on or before December 1. Mah..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Run OMCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a special facility to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), in a move aimed at easing pressure on the Indian rupee. The facility will take effect on October 12, 2026, and remain available until further notice. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation are eligible to use the arrangement. Under the facility, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three companies through designated banks, allowing them to meet their oil-import payments without sourc..

Next Story
Building Material

Cement Prices Likely to Rise Rs. 10-15 per Bag from Mid-October

Cement manufacturers in India are likely to raise prices by Rs. 10-15 per bag from mid-October, as they seek to offset persistent increases in power and fuel costs. Emkay Research said its channel checks indicated a high probability of an increase from October 12, supported by the start of the busy construction season and favourable demand-supply conditions. The sector had implemented similar rate adjustments of Rs. 10-15 per bag during the first quarter, but the increases were insufficient to cover higher operating costs. Prices also softened during July and August because of the monsoon, wid..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code