China exported over 5 million tons of stainless steel in 2025

In 2025, China reduced its stainless steel exports by 0.3% – to 5.03 million tons. This is evidenced by data from Chinese customs authorities, according to Steel Orbis.

Imports of this product amounted to 1.52 million tons at the end of last year, which is 19% less on an annualized basis.

In December 2025, China exported 485,000 tons of stainless steel (+4.2% y/y and 19.7% m/m). The December surge occurred ahead of the introduction of an export licensing system for all steel products on January 1, 2026. Stainless steel imports in the last month of 2025 amounted to 145,000 tons (+1.9% y/y and 29.3% m/m).

Imports of stainless steel scrap to the country amounted to 120,100 tons last year, which is 23.5% more than in 2024. In December, these volumes amounted to 11,800 tons, increasing by 20.6% year-on-year.

It should be noted that China increased its steel exports by 7.5% y/y in 2025 to a record 119.02 million tons. In December, Chinese steelmakers exported 11.3 million tons of steel, which is 13.2% more than in the previous month. Foreign supplies helped offset cooling domestic demand as the country’s real estate crisis continues to weigh on the market.

As reported by GMK Center, steel production in China fell below 1 billion tons in 2025, reaching its lowest level since 2018. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the country produced 960.81 million tons of steel last year, down 4.4% year-on-year.