China’s steel exports fell by 5.6% y/y in January–June

In the first half of 2026, China’s steel exports fell by 5.6% year-on-year to 54.87 million tonnes. This was reported by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), citing data from the customs service.

In June alone, the figure stood at 10.32 million tonnes, down 0.2% on the previous month, though it rose by 6.6% year-on-year. The average price of these exports for the period was $710.8 per tonne, up 1.9% month-on-month.

Total steel imports into China in January–June amounted to 2.69 million tonnes (-11.3% year-on-year).

In June, the figure stood at 441,000 tonnes, which was 2.2% lower than in May and 6.2% lower year-on-year. The average price of these imports was $1,925.4 per tonne.

Iron ore imports in June reached 112.7 million tonnes, up 15.3% compared with the previous month. The average price was $103.3 per tonne (+0.3% month-on-month). In the first half of the year, the corresponding figure stood at 628.87 million tonnes (+6.3% year-on-year).

“Supplies rose last month as some mining companies stepped up efforts to meet quarterly targets, whilst some mines increased output,” said Qingwei Xie, an analyst at the consultancy Shanghai Metals Market, as quoted by Reuters.

It is worth noting that, by the end of 2025, China had increased its steel exports by 7.5% year-on-year – to a record 119.02 million tonnes. Overseas shipments helped the country offset the slowdown in domestic demand. Steel imports into China last year totalled 6.06 million tonnes, down 11.1% year-on-year.