The Role of India in the Iron and Steel Export Import Market

The history of India's steel industry is closely tied to its independence in 1947, when it was comprised entirely of private sector firms. This all changed with the first Five Year Plan introduced in 1952, which imposed a number of restrictions and effectively placed the sector under state control. Large-scale expansions in steelmaking capacity were reserved for public sector enterprises, and the Indian Government controlled the prices set by large producers, while also placing quantitive restrictions and tariffs on imports of inputs and finished steel. This government intervention helped steel production grow strongly from 1950 to 1970, with average annual growth exceeding 8 per cent over that time period.
 

Steel Trade and Demand

Steel is an important part of India’s manufacturing and construction industry, with finished steel production accounting for a substantial portion of both industries. Construction and infrastructure are estimated to account for around 40 per cent of steel consumption, while manufacturing in sectors like automobiles make up the remaining 30 percent. Recently, India has become a net importer of steel as domestic demand has grown significantly propelled by strong growth in Indian Steel consumption. Imports have been especially high for flat products that are used in the manufacturing sector due to its growing importance before and after the global financial crisis. Despite the large interest in imports, exports continue to be vital for India’s economy with it accounting for 4% of total export value in 2010. This reflects on the importance that Indian companies have placed on producing many types of pipes and tubes which can be exported easily. In conclusion, India’s connection to the steel market proves to be integral both domestically and internationally as its use presents unique opportunities within different areas concurrently.
 

India exports iron and steel for what reasons?

India is the world's largest exporter of iron and steel, with a total exports value of US$26.81 billion in 2020 according to the Indian Trade Ministry. This export volume is driven by India’s growing steel industry, which is one of the largest in the world. The nation has abundant iron ore resources, low labour costs and a skilled workforce which give it a competitive advantage in terms of cost competitiveness over other producers. In 2022, India produced 125.32 million metric tons of crude steel - up 4.2% from the previous year - making it the second-largest crude steel producer in the world after China.

The export market for Indian iron and steel products is largely dominated by developed countries such as U.S., France, Germany and Italy; but due to its low production costs, Indian steelmakers have been able to find success in exporting their products to many markets around the globe, including Africa, Asia and South America. India’s exports are expected to continue rising as demand for quality low-cost steel products drives expansion into new markets, fueling further growth opportunities for domestic producers.

 
India's Iron & Steel Sector: Top Sources of Supply

India's steel industry is one of its major drivers of economic growth and development, making it a natural choice for export. India has an abundance of iron ore resources which allows steel to be produced at competitive prices compared to other nations. Coupled with relatively low labor costs and a skilled workforce, this makes India an attractive option for countries looking to source their steel requirements in a cost-efficient manner. Furthermore, the Indian steel sector is performing very well globally and is expanding quickly. In 2022, India recorded the highest production of 125.32 million metric tons of crude steel in its history, indicating the strength and potential of Indian manufactured steel in domestic as well as global markets.

The advantages that Indian production holds over those from other countries, such as cost-efficiency and availability of resources, creates an ideal environment than can be used by a wide range of industries, including automotive, engineering and construction. By exporting Iron and Steel products made in India abroad, the world not only gets access to excellent quality material but also becomes more aware of Made-in-India product standards—allowing Indian companies to establish stronger international relationships built on trust. This is why India exports iron and steel; so as to not only make profitable investments but also become a India is known to be the largest exporter of Iron and Steel in the global market. This is due to India’s large and growing steel industry, which produces 125.32 million metric tons of crude steel as of 2020, making it the second-largest crude steel producer in the world. The country has many advantages that allow its steelmakers to produce steel at a significantly lower cost than its competitors in other countries. These include access to abundant iron ore resources, a relatively low labour cost and skilled workforce.

India’s competitive advantages also enable it to sell its products abroad at competitive prices while still turning a profit. This has made India an attractive export destination for other countries looking to purchase high quality iron and steel products, spurring more exports from the country every year. India’s export of iron and steel has allowed it to become a major player in the global market and bolster its overall economic growth.

Factors Boosting India's Exports of Iron and Steel

India is one of the leading exporters of iron and steel across the globe, and this growth and success can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, India has seen large investments in modern infrastructure projects that promote global trade and enhance the productivity of local industries. This boosts efficiency, ensuring cost-effective production processes with reduced wastage for effective international delivery. Furthermore, low-cost labor forces have enabled Indian markets to compete prices effectively on products such as steel billets which are commonly used in automobile manufacturing.

Moreover, India has an abundance of natural resources for raw material supplies – iron ore deposits in particular – which helps to maintain competitive production costs while also allowing export diversity through a variety of processed products from mid-size manufactures. Furthermore, attractive tariff plans are becoming increasingly important to encourage India’s exports, namely free trade agreement such as those with Korea and Japan that ensure continued exports for producers at competitive rates. Finally, India benefits from established relationships with its trading partners who impose no strict quotas or tariffs on Indian imports while remaining proactive about their best interests. All these elements combined contribute to the continuing success and profitability enjoyed by Indian exporters within the iron and steel industry.

 
India's steel imports surge in June 2023, Shares are dominated by China and Vietnam

 
India's steel import surged in June 2023, with increased shares from China and Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Steel, India's steel imports rose by 5.9% month-on-month and 7.6% year-on-year to reach 4.84 LMT during the month, demonstrating a growing demand for imported steel. This was despite India's steel exports registering a 21.3% y-o-y decline for the same period.

The share of countries such as China and Vietnam also went up significantly in India’s import basket during June 2023 when compared to previous years, while iron ore prices remained largely unchanged at the same time. The surge in imports illustrates a broadening appetite for foreign steel products in India due to their ease of availability and wide range of specifications available across various price points. As such, this trend is expected to sustain over the upcoming months as domestic demand continues to strengthen.