Arab countries’ crude steel production reached 3.64 million mt in August 2025, recording a growth of 12.7% compared to the same period last year, while total output in the January–August period amounted to 28.26 million mt, up 6.1% year on year, according to the latest data released by the World Steel Association (WorldSteel).
Gulf Region
Gulf countries produced 1.90 million mt in August, up 29.2% year on year, with January–August output totaling 13.99 million mt (+8.5%).
Saudi Arabia led the region with 1.01 million mt in August (+64.1%) and 6.93 million mt in January–August (+11.9%), followed by the UAE (2.47 million mt, +3.2%), Oman (2.0 million mt, -1.2%), and Qatar (1.09 million mt, +35.2%). Bahrain and Kuwait recorded 795,000 mt and 718,000 mt, respectively.
Country | Aug 2025 (000t) | % change Aug 25/24 | Jan-Aug 2025 (000t) | % change Aug 25/24 |
Saudi Arabia | 1,007 | 64.1% | 6,928 | 11.9% |
UAE | 331 | 8.2% | 2,472 | 3.2% |
Oman | 240 | -5.9% | 2,000 | -1.2% |
Bahrain | 90 | -14.3% | 795 | -1.2% |
Qatar | 150 | 43.7% | 1,085 | 35.2% |
Kuwait | 80 | -5.9% | 718 | 5.1% |
Total | 1,898 | 29.2% | 13,998 | 8.5% |
North Africa
North African countries produced 1.46 million mt in August, down slightly by 1.1% year on year, while January–August output rose to 11.98 million mt (+4.5%).
Egypt topped the region with 6.69 million mt despite a 5.6% decline, followed by Algeria with 3.52 million mt (+21.4%), Morocco with 990,000 mt (+5.3%), and Libya with 747,000 mt (+46.1%). Tunisia recorded 38,000 mt (-3.3%).
Country | Aug 2025 (000t) | % change Aug 25/24 | Jan-Aug 2025 (000t) | % change 25/24 |
Egypt | 896 | -0.2% | 6,687 | -5.6% |
Algeria | 350 | -12.5% | 3,520 | 21.4% |
Morocco | 120 | 0.0% | 990 | 5.3% |
Libya | 85 | 71.0% | 747 | 46.1% |
Tunisia | 5 | 0.0% | 38 | -3.3% |
Total | 1,456 | -1.1% | 11,982 | 4.5% |
East Mediterranean
The East Mediterranean region produced 282,000 mt in August (-0.7%), with January–August output at 2.28 million mt (+0.7%).
Iraq led with 2.02 million mt (+1.0%), followed by Jordan at 200,000 mt (stable), and Yemen at 65,000 mt (-5.8%).
Country | Aug 2025 (000t) | % change Aug 25/24 | Jan-Aug 2025 (000t) | % change 25/24 |
Iraq | 250 | 0.0% | 2,015 | 1.0% |
Jordan | 25 | 0.0% | 200 | 0.0% |
Yemen | 7 | -22.2% | 65 | -5.8% |
Total | 282 | -0.7% | 2,280 | 0.7% |
Arab Countries
Overall, Arab countries’ crude steel production stood at 28.26 million mt in January–August 2025, up 6.1% year on year. Growth was mainly driven by Gulf producers, while Egypt posted a decline offset by strong gains in Algeria and Libya.
Aug 2025 (000t) | % change Aug 25/24 | Jan-Aug 2025 (000t) | % change 25/24 | |
Total Arab countries | 3,636 | 12.7% | 28,260 | 6.1% |