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China Steel Exports Fall 6.1% in October as Imports Weaken
China's steel exports declined 6.1% month-on-month in October 2026, bringing cumulative shipments for the first ten months of the year to 95.5 million tonnes, down 2.3% year-on-year. Steel imports contracted more sharply, while iron ore purchases remained higher on a year-to-date basis.
By Paul Ploumis | Published November 11, 2026
Key Points
- Steel exports: January–October shipments declined 2.3% year-on-year to 95.5 million tonnes.
- October slowdown: Monthly exports fell 6.1% to 9.85 million tonnes but remained 0.7% above October 2025.
- Steel imports: Ten-month imports dropped 11.6% to 4.46 million tonnes, with October arrivals down 21.5% year-on-year.
- Iron ore: Cumulative imports rose 3.1% to 1.06 billion tonnes despite a 5.1% year-on-year decline in October.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): China's steel export momentum weakened in October 2026, with overseas shipments declining from September despite remaining slightly above year-earlier levels, according to data from the General Administration of Customs cited by SteelOrbis.
Chinese steelmakers exported 95.5 million tonnes of finished steel products during January–October, down 2.3% from the same period in 2025.
October Steel Exports Decline from September
October exports totalled 9.85 million tonnes, a 6.1% decline from September's 10.49 million tonnes. However, shipments remained 0.7% higher than in October 2025.
The figures point to weaker monthly export activity rather than a uniform decline across both comparison periods.
ScrapMonster Edge: Steel Trade and Raw-Material Demand Diverge
The distinction is in the direction of trade flows. China's finished-steel exports declined 2.3% during January–October, while iron ore imports increased 3.1%. Meanwhile, finished-steel imports contracted 11.6%, substantially faster than exports.
Industry takeaway: Steelmakers, scrap suppliers and raw-material traders should assess finished-steel shipments and iron ore purchases separately. These figures reflect different parts of the steel supply chain and do not, by themselves, establish changes in domestic steel consumption or scrap demand.
Steel Imports Record Sharper Declines
China imported 4.46 million tonnes of steel products during January–October, an 11.6% year-on-year decline.
October steel imports fell 19.7% from September and 21.5% from a year earlier to approximately 395,000 tonnes, indicating considerably weaker inbound trade.
Iron Ore Imports Rise Despite October Pullback
China's iron ore imports reached approximately 1.06 billion tonnes during the first ten months of 2026, an increase of 3.1% from the corresponding period last year.
October arrivals, however, declined 3.8% month-on-month and 5.1% year-on-year to 105.65 million tonnes.
China's steel industry continues to undergo structural adjustments, with tighter capacity controls and efforts to better align domestic production with demand.
