- Hot metal, crude steel and finished steel output hit best-ever levels in April-September 2026
- September saleable steel sales rose 4 per cent to a record 1.69 million tonnes
- High-end steel production rose 30 per cent to around 2 million tonnes
- Iron ore sales surged 190 per cent to 2.671 million tonnes in April-September
- Borrowings cut by around Rs 1,080 crore in the first half
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) posted its best-ever production in the first half of financial year 2026-27, and record sales in September 2026.
Record output in April-September
Hot metal production reached 10.2 million tonnes, crude steel 9.6 million tonnes and finished steel 8.39 million tonnes. All three were the company’s highest for the April-September period.
Hot metal output rose 2 per cent on the year, while crude steel and finished steel each rose 1 per cent. The share of finished steel in total saleable steel production improved to 89.2 per cent, from 86.8 per cent a year earlier.
High-end steel production reached around 2 million tonnes, up 30 per cent. The company said the focus was on products that raise Net Sales Realisation (NSR).
Iron ore and railway supplies
Iron ore production grew 13 per cent. Iron ore sales jumped 190 per cent to 2.671 million tonnes, another best-ever April-September figure.
Dispatches of long rails rose 7 per cent to Indian Railways. Wheels and axles dispatches rose 3 per cent.
September sales and efficiency
September saleable steel sales reached 1.69 million tonnes, up 4 per cent on September 2025. It was the best September on record.
The retail brand SAIL SeQR TMT bars sold more than 1.5 lakh tonnes, its highest ever. Tier-II retail sales grew 3 per cent. Structurals, plate mill plates and galvanised plain sheets and coils also posted their best September sales.
The share of finished steel in saleable output rose to 92 per cent, from 89 per cent a year earlier. The fuel rate improved to 551 kilograms per tonne of hot metal.
Iron ore production rose 8 per cent and iron ore sales surged 134 per cent to 0.492 million tonnes, a record September. The company cut inventory by about 0.192 million tonnes and borrowings by around Rs 208 crore during the month.
Energy and debt
Specific energy consumption improved to 6.17 Giga Calories per tonne of crude steel, a 0.5 per cent gain and the best first-half figure for the company. In the first half, SAIL cut inventory by about 0.145 million tonnes and borrowings by around Rs 1,080 crore.
SAIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. A.K. Panda said the results reflected the commitment of the workforce to efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth. He said SAIL is well placed to contribute more to India’s industrial progress.
