China cuts steel production to 73 million tons in September

In September 2025, Chinese steel companies reduced steel production by 4.6% compared to September 2024, to 73.49 million tons. Compared to the previous month, the figure fell by 5%. This is evidenced by data from the National Bureau of Statistics of the PRC, reports SteelOrbis.

This is the fourth consecutive decline in monthly smelting volume, resulting in steel production for January-September of this year falling to 746.25 million tons (-2.9% y/y). This was due to both the holiday season and limited market demand.

During the third quarter, steel production in China fell by 3.1% compared to the same period in 2024, and by 9.9% compared to the previous quarter, to 230.52 million tons.

Pig iron smelting for the month amounted to 66.05 million tons, down 2.4% y/y and 5.4% m/m, while rolled steel production amounted to 124.21 million tons (-5.1% y/y; +1.2% m/m). Over the first nine months, pig iron output fell by 1.1% y/y – to 645.86 million tons, while rolled steel output rose by 5.4% y/y – to 1.103 billion tons.

October saw an improvement in production. The association of manufacturers reported an increase in average daily steel production at large and medium-sized enterprises in the first ten days of the month.

As reported by GMK Center, Chinese steel companies reduced steel production by 1.7% year-on-year in 2024, producing 1.005 billion tons. This is the lowest figure in the last five years. Experts note that 2024 is likely to be the last year when steel production in China exceeded 1 billion tons.