Global crude steel output fell 1.9% in April 2026 to 153.4 million metric tons, according to the World Steel Association. The decline masks sharp regional differences: Africa grows 11.5% and North America rises 6.9%, while the Middle East contracts by 27.6%. Asia and Oceania, which accounts for nearly 75% of global output, slips 1.3%. The first four months of 2026 show a cumulative 2.0% decline, signalling sustained softness in global steel demand.