Global stainless steel production increased by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026

According to a preliminary report released by the World Stainless Steel Association, in the first quarter of this year, global stainless steel production decreased by 3.4 percent quarter-on-quarter to 15.77 million tons, an increase of 2.5 percent year-on-year.

According to wordstainless, China's stainless steel production grew 4.3 percent and increased 3.3 percent in the quarter. in the Asian region, with growth of 2.3 percent in the United States and a decrease of 4.6 percent in Europe, all compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Stainless steel production (x 1000 metric tons):

Region	Quarter
	2025 - 1q.	2026 – 1q.	Change by compared to last year (%)
Asia	13,008	13,435	+3.3
China	9,437	9,842	+4.3
European Union	1539	1468	-4.6
USA	553	566	+2.3
Others (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, UK)	286	305	+6,7
Total	15 387	15 774	+2.5