Global Stainless Steel Melt Shop Production Rises 2.5% in Q1 2026

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest figures released by the World Stainless Association indicates that global stainless steel melt shop production recorded steady growth during the initial quarter of the current year.

According to data, the worldwide stainless steel production reached 15.774 million metric tonnes during the January–March period in 2026. This marks a 2.5% increase compared to 15.387 million tonnes produced in the corresponding quarter of 2025.

Asia continued to dominate global stainless steel output, producing 13.435 million tonnes in Q1 2026, up 3.3% year-on-year from 13.008 million tonnes. The region accounted for more than 85% of total global production. Within Asian region, China continued to remain as the largest producer. The country’s output witnessed a jump of 4.3% to 9.842 million tonnes from 9.437 million tonnes a year earlier.

However, stainless steel production in the European Union (EU) declined by 4.6% year-on-year to 1.468 million tonnes. This compares with 1.539 million tonnes of production in Q1 last year.

The United States posted moderate growth, with production increasing 2.3% to 566,000 tonnes from 553,000 tonnes during the same period. Meanwhile, production from other key stainless steel-producing countries, including Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, rose by 6.7% year-on-year to 305,000 tonnes.