THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) recorded a strong upswing in sales and production during August 2026, with the state-run steel major achieving its best-ever August output of hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel while posting a 13 per cent year-on-year rise in total sales.

SAIL’s total sales in August stood at 1.871 million tonnes, compared with 1.654 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year. Cash collections also registered a robust 23 per cent year-on-year growth, underscoring improved commercial realisations and financial discipline.

On the production front, crude steel output increased 8 per cent year-on-year to 1.68 million tonnes in August from 1.55 million tonnes a year earlier. Hot metal production rose 9 per cent to 1.78 million tonnes from 1.63 million tonnes, while saleable steel production grew 1 per cent to 1.69 million tonnes against 1.66 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

The company also witnessed double-digit year-on-year growth in overall sales during August, with strong traction across its Tier 1 and Tier 2 retail channels. SAIL reported its highest-ever August sales in several value-added product categories, including cold rolled, galvanized and alloy steels.

The month also saw a meaningful reduction in inventory, pointing to improved supply chain coordination and faster servicing of market demand.

SAIL continued to strengthen its presence in the railway segment, with supplies to Indian Railways rising 5 per cent year-on-year to 1.23 lakh tonnes in August from 1.18 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year. Supplies of long rails touched an all-time high of 1.12 lakh tonnes, registering an 11 per cent year-on-year increase.

The company also made further progress in strengthening its balance sheet, reducing borrowings by Rs 870 crore from the level recorded on March 31, 2026.

The positive momentum extended to the April-August 2026 period, with SAIL’s cumulative sales reaching 7.71 million tonnes, marking a 5.6 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year despite continued volatility in global markets.

Finished and processed steel segments continued to witness healthy movement during the five-month period, supported by an improved product mix, stronger regional outreach and firm domestic demand. Cash collections also remained on an upward trajectory, reflecting disciplined commercial practices and timely customer realisations.

Commenting on the performance, SAIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr A.K. Panda said the company’s performance during August and the April-August 2026 period reflected a growing alignment between operational capability, commercial delivery and financial prudence.

 “The record production levels, strong sales momentum and disciplined financial management together underscore the Company’s strengthening fundamentals. With expansion projects progress and demand outlook remaining positive, SAIL is well positioned to accelerate its growth trajectory while contributing meaningfully to India’s steel consumption story,” Panda said.

The latest performance comes as SAIL advances its expansion initiatives amid expectations of sustained domestic steel demand, positioning the company to build on its operational and commercial momentum in the months ahead.