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zh Global Blast Furnace Pig Iron Output Slightly Down 0.2% in Q1 2025, Asian Market Remains Robust
2025-06-24 09:10:08 hits：0
According to the latest statistics from the World Steel Association, the blast furnace pig iron output of 34 major countries and regions worldwide reached 317.5 million tons in the first quarter of 2025, a slight 0.2% year-on-year decrease. It is worth noting that the output of these 34 economies accounts for about 98% of the global total, and their data changes directly reflect the global steel industry landscape.
Asian Producers Support Global Output, with Notable Growth in China and India
Asia stood out in the first quarter, with blast furnace pig iron output increasing by 0.4% year on year to 268.6 million tons. As the world's largest producer, China's output reached 216 million tons, up 0.8% year on year; India continued its growth momentum, with output surging by 6.2% year on year to 23.845 million tons. In contrast, Japan and South Korea were affected by industrial adjustments: Japan's output fell by 3.7% year on year to 14.82 million tons, and South Korea's dropped by 2.9% to 10.681 million tons.
European Market Shows Obvious Differentiation, with Sharp Fluctuations in Some Countries
The blast furnace pig iron output of the 27 EU countries fell by 4.0% year on year to 15.957 million tons in the first quarter, with polarizing performances within the region: Germany's output plummeted by 15.6% year on year to 5.324 million tons due to energy costs; while countries like Italy and the Netherlands grew against the trend. Italy's output surged by 46.8% year on year to 690,000 tons, and the Netherlands' rose by 10.3% to 1.369 million tons. Among other European countries, Turkey's output fell by 11.9% to 2.316 million tons, and the UK's dropped by 58% to only 410,000 tons.
The combined output of Russia and Ukraine was 14.719 million tons, up 0.6% year on year. Among them, Russia's output was 13.016 million tons, slightly down 0.3%; Ukraine's rebounded by 7.2% to 1.702 million tons.
Divergent Performances in Other Regions, New Trends in DRI Market
North America's output is estimated to have dropped by 1.2% year on year to 6.68 million tons, while South America increased by 0.5% to 7.144 million tons. Brazil led with 6.637 million tons, up 2.5% year on year. Output in South Africa and Oceania fell to 685,000 tons and 788,000 tons respectively, down 5.9% and 14.7% year on year.
In the direct reduced iron (DRI) sector, the output of 13 major producers reached 28.849 million tons in the first quarter, up 2.6% year on year, accounting for 87% of the global total. India remained the top producer with 14.186 million tons, up 6.3% year on year; Mexico, Qatar and other countries showed remarkable performance, with output surging by 17% and 41.7% year on year respectively, while countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia saw varying degrees of decline.
The following table summarizes key data on global blast furnace pig iron output and the DRI market in Q1 2025.
| Category | Region/Country | 2025 Q1 Output (10,000 tons) | YoY Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Total | 34 Major Countries/Regions | 31,750 (317.5 million tons) | -0.2% | Accounts for 98% of global production |
| Asia | Asia Total | 26,860 (268.6 million tons) | +0.4% | Supports global output, with significant growth in China and India |
| China | 21,600 (216 million tons) | +0.8% | World's largest producer | |
| India | 2,384.5 | +6.2% | Sustains growth momentum | |
| Japan | 1,482 | -3.7% | Declines due to industrial adjustments | |
| South Korea | 1,068.1 | -2.9% | Year-on-year decrease | |
| Europe | EU 27 | 1,595.7 | -4.0% | Polarized performance within the region |
| Germany | 532.4 | -15.6% | Plummets due to energy costs | |
| Italy | 69 | +46.8% | Grows against the trend | |
| Netherlands | 136.9 | +10.3% | Year-on-year increase | |
| Turkey | 231.6 | -11.9% | Output decline | |
| UK | 41 | -58% | Significant decrease | |
| Russia + Ukraine | 1,471.9 | +0.6% | Slight decline in Russia, recovery in Ukraine | |
| Russia | 1,301.6 | -0.3% | ||
| Ukraine | 170.2 | +7.2% | ||
| Other Regions | North America | 668 | -1.2% | Estimated output decline |
| South America | 714.4 | +0.5% | Led by Brazil | |
| Brazil | 663.7 | +2.5% | ||
| South Africa | 68.5 | -5.9% | Output decline | |
| Oceania | 78.8 | -14.7% | Substantial decrease | |
| Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) | 13 Major Producers | 2,884.9 | +2.6% | Accounts for 87% of global production |
| India | 1,418.6 | +6.3% | Remains world's top producer | |
| Mexico | - | +17% | Output surges | |
| Qatar | - | +41.7% | Notable performance | |
| Iran, Saudi Arabia | - | Varying declines |
The data in this article is sourced from the World Steel Association's Q1 2025 statistical report, reflecting the structural changes in the global steel industry during the supply-demand adjustment period. The resilience of the Asian market and the transformation pressure on the European industry form a sharp contrast, and the follow-up development is worthy of continuous attention.
