India Considers Extending Import Restrictions on Steelmaking Raw Materials
The Indian government is considering extending import restrictions on low-ash metallurgical coke (met coke) beyond June 2025 to encourage domestic sourcing by steel manufacturers. In December 2024, India imposed country-specific quotas, limiting total met coke imports to 1.4 million metric tons from January to June 2025. This move aimed to protect local producers from a surge in imports, which had more than doubled over the past four years.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed concerns over steel mills’ preference for imported met coke, emphasizing the need to support domestic suppliers. Additionally, the government has advised against sourcing met coke from Indonesia, as Chinese suppliers have been rerouting their products through Jakarta to circumvent restrictions.
Leading steel producers, including JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, have raised concerns about the quality of locally produced met coke. They argue that extended import curbs could impede plans to expand capacity to meet India’s robust steel demand.
This potential policy extension reflects India’s broader strategy to achieve self-reliance in critical industries and reduce dependence on imports, particularly from countries like China, with which trade relations have been strained.
