India's pellet demand in steelmaking rises 12% y-o-y in H1FY'27; production climbs 11%

Higher consumption in BF-based production, DRI route lifts demand. Production surges on capacity expansion in western India, strong export growth. Imports rise twofold y-o-y on logistics, supply, and quality concerns

India's iron ore pellet market recorded growth in both production and consumption during H1FY'27 (April-September 2026), supported by higher pellet usage in blast furnace (BF)-based steelmaking and sustained demand from direct reduced iron (DRI) producers. Total pellet demand rose 12% y-o-y to 66 million tonnes (mnt), compared with 59