Top 10 Steel-Producing Countries in the World (Excluding China & Russia) – Updated 2026
Posted on 18 September 2025
Steel remains the cornerstone of global industrialization, infrastructure, and trade. From skyscrapers and bridges to vehicles and renewable energy systems, steel is everywhere. While China and Russia dominate news headlines in terms of volume, it is equally vital for global procurement directors and supply chain managers to analyze the leading nations shaping global steel production outside these two giants.
As of September 2025, using the latest authoritative data from the World Steel Association’s World Steel in Figures 2025 (covering 2024 full-year production), these are the Top 10 crude-steel–producing countries, excluding China and Russia. Together, they represent the backbone of steel innovation, regional supply resilience, and international trade flows.
Top 10 Country Deep-Dive Analysis
1. India
India is the largest steel producer outside China. The country has set ambitious goals of reaching 300 Mt by 2030–31, driven by massive domestic infrastructure expansion.
Urbanization, housing, industrial corridors, railways, and renewable energy facilities.
Targeting Southeast Asia and the Middle East while balancing domestic consumption.
Experimenting with hydrogen DRI and carbon capture, though coal BF-BOF dominates.
2. Japan
Japan’s steel sector is world-renowned for technological sophistication and high-grade output, particularly for automotive, shipbuilding, and precision machinery.
Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS), electrical steels, and premium stainless grades.
Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Kobe Steel leading high-value exports across Asia.
Pioneering hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and CCUS technologies.
3. United States
Powered mainly by Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology (accounting for >70% of production), making the U.S. one of the most scrap-efficient steel markets globally.
High scrap availability allows rapid capacity adjustments compared to traditional blast furnaces.
"Buy America" clauses, federal infrastructure funding, and Section 232 trade protection.
Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and Cleveland-Cliffs dominate flat and long product lines.
4. South Korea
Driven by industrial giants POSCO and Hyundai Steel, South Korea combines technological edge with strong export reliance across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Automotive-grade steels, electrical steel for EVs, and heavy shipbuilding plates.
Heavy investments in hydrogen-based steelmaking pilots and next-gen AHSS alloys.
5. Germany
As the largest producer in the European Union, Germany specializes in flat products for automobiles, machinery, and advanced engineering applications.
Frontrunner in EU green steel push, converting blast furnaces to hydrogen-ready DRI/EAF.
Navigating strict carbon pricing under EU ETS and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
6. Türkiye
Almost entirely EAF-driven and a top global scrap importer. Major regional exporter of rebar and long products to Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.
7. Brazil
Anchored by integrated mills with massive slab capacity. A primary supply hub of semi-finished steel slabs for North American and European re-rollers.
8. Iran
Leverages vast natural gas reserves for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) + EAF steelmaking. Exports billets and long products regionally despite trade restrictions.
9. Vietnam
Reflects rapid industrial rise in Southeast Asia. Driven by massive infrastructure, FDI manufacturing, and expanding HRC/slab export capacities to global markets.
10. Italy
Predominantly EAF-driven, focusing on rebar, long products, and specialty steels closely integrated with Mediterranean and wider EU construction supply chains.
Global Steel Ranking Summary Table (Excl. China & Russia)
| Rank | Country | 2024 Production (Mt) | Primary Tech Route | Strategic Market Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | India | 149.4 Mt | BF-BOF / DRI | Infrastructure & Regional Exports |
| #2 | Japan | 84.0 Mt | Integrated BF-BOF | Automotive, AHSS & Premium Steel |
| #3 | United States | 79.5 Mt | EAF (>70% Scrap) | Domestic Construction & Low-Carbon Steel |
| #4 | South Korea | 63.6 Mt | Integrated BF / EAF | Auto, Shipbuilding & EV Electrical Steel |
| #5 | Germany | 37.2 Mt | BF-BOF / H2-DRI Transition | Automotive & High-Spec Flat Products |
| #6 | Türkiye | 36.9 Mt | EAF (Scrap Import Hub) | Rebar & Regional Long Products |
| #7 | Brazil | 33.8 Mt | Integrated Slabs | Semi-Finished Slab Exports |
| #8 | Iran | 31.4 Mt | Gas DRI + EAF | Domestic Infra & Billets |
| #9 | Vietnam | 22.0 Mt | BF-BOF & Modern EAF | HRC, Slabs & ASEAN Industrial Hub |
| #10 | Italy | 20.0 Mt | EAF | EU Construction & Specialty Longs |
Key Trends Reshaping the Global Steel Ecosystem
1. Shift Toward EAF & Scrap
Nations like the U.S., Türkiye, and Italy leverage scrap-based EAF routes to achieve immediate lower carbon intensity per tonne.
2. The Green Hydrogen Race
Germany, Japan, South Korea, and India lead pilot programs in hydrogen DRI and CCUS to comply with upcoming CBAM and net-zero targets.
3. Trade Safeguards & Tariffs
EU safeguards, Section 232, and anti-circumvention audits (e.g., origin tracking) are reshaping international supply routes.
4. Emerging Growth Engines
India and Vietnam stand out as primary expansion hubs, balancing domestic construction surges with export growth.
Optimize Your Global Steel Sourcing Strategy with EFRESO
Direct access to verified tier-1 Vietnamese producers. We deliver certified HRC, coils, and slabs with 0% EU anti-dumping compliance and 100% origin audit safety.
Request B2B Sourcing QuoteLatest News
![How to Calculate EU Landed Cost for Steel (CN [72XXXXXX]): TARIC, TRQ & AD](/Data/ResizeImage/images/tintuc/landed_cost_eu_cn_xxxx_trq_taric_ad_cbam_update2x80x80x2.jpeg)
-
Frequently Asked Questions
What quality assurance measures does Efreso have in place?
What is the typical lead time for sourcing steel through Efreso?
Can I request specific steel grades or specifications not listed on your website?
What information do I need to provide when requesting a quote?
How does Efreso help me find steel suppliers in Vietnam?
Other News
![How to Calculate EU Landed Cost for Steel (CN [72XXXXXX]): TARIC, TRQ & AD](/Data/ResizeImage/images/tintuc/landed_cost_eu_cn_xxxx_trq_taric_ad_cbam_update2x500x250x1.jpeg "How to Calculate EU Landed Cost for Steel (CN [72XXXXXX]): TARIC, TRQ & AD")
