China’s rolled steel exports fell by 8.1% y/y a five-month period

Exports of rolled steel from China in January–May 2026 fell by 8.1% year-on-year – to 44.6 million tonnes. The decline was expected following the introduction of export licences in January 2026, which had a negative impact on steel shipments abroad. 

At the same time, Chinese rolled steel exports in May increased by 8.9% compared to April, to 10.3 million tonnes. The absence of Iranian steel on export markets has supported Chinese rolled steel shipments abroad over the past three months.

Imports of rolled steel into China in January–May fell by 12.2% year-on-year – to 2.3 million tonnes; in May, this figure decreased by 3% compared to April, to 451,000 tonnes

Over the five-month period, iron ore imports to China rose by 6.3% year-on-year – to 516.3 million tonnes. However, in May this figure fell by 5.9% compared with April, to 97.7 million tonnes.

Demand for steel from the property market remained weak, but demand from the infrastructure and processing sectors was stable, which supported steel production and had a positive impact on iron ore imports.

China increased its steel exports by 7.5% year-on-year in 2025, reaching a record 119 million tonnes. Steel imports into the country in January–December 2025 amounted to 6.06 million tonnes, down 11.1% year-on-year. Last year, China also increased its iron ore imports by 1.8% year-on-year, to 1.26 billion tonnes.