Germany’s crude steel production rose by 7.5 percent year on year in March to 3.35 million mt, according to the information provided by the German Steel Federation Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl). In the January-March period, output increased by nine percent year on year to 9.26 million mt.
Pig iron and hot rolled output also higher
In the given month, Germany’s pig iron output amounted to 2.02 million mt, up by 6.7 percent, while in the January-March period it increased by 10.4 percent to 5.87 million mt, both on year-on-year basis.
In March, the country’s hot rolled steel output grew by 3.5 percent to 2.89 million mt, while rising by 4.9 percent to 8.01 million mt in the first three months this year, both compared to the same periods of the previous year.
Output gains do not reflect real recovery
Despite the increase, WV Stahl warned that the rise in production does not indicate a genuine recovery.
According to CEO Kerstin Maria Rippel, current output levels, equivalent to around 37 million mt annually, remain below the 40 million mt threshold required for sustainable capacity utilization.
Germany’s crude steel production had already fallen to 34.1 million mt in 2025, the lowest level since the global financial crisis.
Demand weakness remains structural
The main challenge continues to be weak demand. Since 2017, steel consumption in Germany has declined by around 30 percent, or 12 million mt, with key sectors such as automotive and mechanical engineering still underperforming. Recent improvements in supply conditions are largely attributed to inventory restocking rather than real demand recovery.
Germany’s position in global steel consumption has dropped to eighth place, reflecting the broader contraction in industrial demand. At the same time, rising imports are intensifying pressure on domestic producers.
Import pressure and global overcapacity
Global overcapacity, projected by the OECD to exceed 700 million mt by 2027, continues to distort trade flows and increase competition. In this context, the federation welcomed new EU trade defense measures as necessary to protect the industry.
Also, leading indicators provide only modest optimism. Although order intake has shown slight improvement, overall levels remain low, while the Ifo Business Climate Index continues to stay below its long-term average since 2022.
Call for lead markets and policy support
To stimulate demand, the federation is advocating for the development of lead markets for low-emission steel produced within the EU. Public procurement is seen as a key tool, though industry representatives stress the need for binding sustainability and origin criteria.
Rising energy costs, driven in part by geopolitical tensions such as the Iran conflict, remain a major concern. The industry continues to call for a competitive industrial electricity price of €50/MWh, covering all associated costs, to restore competitiveness and support the transition to low-emission steel production.