China Steel Exports Rise in July as Imports Continue to Fall

Steel Exports Increase Despite Sluggish Domestic Demand

China’s steel exports rose 1.6% month-on-month in July 2025, reaching 9.836 million tons. This increase reflects growing overseas demand for Chinese steel, even as domestic consumption remains weak. From January to July, total steel exports climbed to 67.983 million tons, marking an 11.4% increase year-on-year.

Hot rolled coil (HRC) exports also surged, with planned shipments hitting 1.21 million tons in July. This figure was 10.2% higher than the actual HRC exports in June. Chinese mills continue to shift focus to external markets to offset weaker domestic demand and maintain utilization rates.

Meanwhile, steel imports dropped 3.8% in July compared to June, totaling 452,000 tons. This continues a downward trend seen throughout 2025, as imports for the January–July period reached 3.476 million tons—a 15.7% decline from the previous year.

Iron Ore Imports Also Decline Amid Export Boom

Iron ore and concentrate imports declined slightly to 104.62 million tons in July, down 1.3% from June. Over the first seven months of 2025, China imported 696.57 million tons, 2.3% less than the same period in 2024. The drop mirrors a broader slowdown in input demand as domestic production stabilizes.

In 2024, China produced 1.005 billion tons of steel, down 1.7% from 2023. However, exports surged to a record 110.72 million tons, up 22.7% year-on-year. Imports during that period dropped to 6.8 million tons, down 10.5%. The export boom continues in 2025, fueled by international demand and weak consumption at home.

Steelmakers are expected to maintain high export volumes as long as global demand supports competitive pricing. Market watchers anticipate continued shifts in trade dynamics, with China consolidating its role as a key global supplier.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

China’s steel export momentum in 2025 suggests structural changes in global supply chains. With weak domestic demand and robust overseas appetite, Chinese steelmakers are aggressively expanding their footprint. However, declining iron ore imports signal caution, hinting at limited production growth. If infrastructure stimulus in China remains modest, the current export-heavy trend may persist into 2026. Global buyers should monitor Beijing’s macro policies and steel pricing strategies to anticipate supply shifts.