According to the German Steel Association (WV Stahl), in April 2026, the country's metallurgical enterprises increased steel production by 9.5% year-on-year to 3.23 million tons. Despite the positive year-on-year trend, output decreased by 3.3% month-on-month, highlighting the uneven nature of the recovery. For the EU market, this is a significant signal: steel demand is gradually stabilizing, but capacity utilization levels do not yet support a full exit from the industry crisis.
April Figures and Production Structure
Germany produced 2.22 million tons of steel in oxygen converters, which is 10.7% more than in April 2025 and 0.5% more than in March. The electric steelmaking segment also showed year-on-year growth, reaching 1.01 million tons (+7.1% YoY), though output fell by 10.8% compared to the previous month.
Pig iron production in April rose by 10.9% YoY to 2.06 million tons, while hot-rolled steel production totaled 2.75 million tons. This represents a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year but a 4.6% decrease month-on-month. Such dynamics indicate that German metallurgy is recovering across several segments simultaneously, although the pace remains unstable.
For the period of January–April 2026, total steel production in the country reached 12.49 million tons, up 9.1% compared to the same period in 2025. Of this volume, 8.61 million tons were converter steel, and 3.88 million tons were produced in electric arc furnaces. Pig iron output for the four months rose to 7.93 million tons, and hot-rolled steel reached 10.76 million tons.
Market Impact and winox.ua Solutions
For the European market, these figures signify a gradual return of industrial demand, primarily in the machinery, construction, and metalworking sectors. However, the industry has not yet reached a level of utilization that would ensure a sustainable recovery without the risk of new fluctuations in prices and orders.
In such conditions, supply predictability, certified product quality, and flexible inventory management become especially vital for procurement managers. This is why winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, focuses on delivery reliability and maintaining a stable range for industrial clients. For businesses operating within the volatile EU market environment, this allows for reduced supply chain risks and faster responses to shifting demand.
It is also worth noting that even with the current growth, German metallurgy is rebounding from a low base. In 2025, the country reduced steel output by 8.6% to 34.09 million tons, and rolled steel production fell by 5.5%. Consequently, the current positive indicators suggest a stabilization phase rather than a completed market recovery.
What German Statistics Mean for Industrial Business
Germany remains one of the key indicators for the state of European metallurgy; thus, its statistics directly influence expectations regarding demand for raw materials, rolled products, and service metal products in the region. If the positive trend continues in the coming months, it could bolster activity in related industries throughout the EU.
At the same time, current figures show that the market has not yet moved into a phase of confident growth. For companies purchasing metal, this means a need to closely monitor production indicators, supplier contract discipline, and price signals. Such data helps in more accurately planning procurement and production schedules for the second half of the year.