Iron ore imports to India are likely to reach a seven-year peak in fiscal year 2025-2026

According to industry estimates and industry analysts, by the end of the current fiscal year on March 31, 2026, India's iron ore imports are expected to reach a seven-year high in the range of 12-14 million tons.

JSW Steel Limited, the largest steel producer in the country by capacity, is becoming a key factor in import demand. According to them, its plants in Maharashtra and Karnataka are increasingly purchasing higher-grade ore from overseas markets to maintain production efficiency.

They said that although India's total iron ore production is expected to rise to about 305 million tonnes in 2025-2026, up from 289 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year, most of the domestic supply remains at a lower grade. This limited its suitability for advanced steel production processes, resulting in dependence on imports.

Citing industry estimates, analysts said imports were mainly concentrated from Brazil and Oman, which account for almost 70 percent of shipments.

The increase in imports highlights a dual trend: the import of high-grade ore and the export of lower-grade ore, and also reflects the imbalance in the domestic mining industry.