Iron ore production in China fell to 923.6 million tons in 11 months

According to data from the Chinese Statistical Service, Chinese mining companies reduced iron ore production by 2.8% in January-November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, to 923.62 million tons.

In November, iron ore production amounted to 83.03 million tons, which is 1.2% less than in the previous month and 2.3% more year-on-year.

Ferroalloy production in the country grew by 5.8% in the first 11 months compared to January-November 2024, to 34.81 million tons. Last month, production volumes amounted to 3.38 million tons (+2.6% month-on-month; +5.8% year-on-year).

The output of welded pipes amounted to 55.21 million tons (+0.6% y/y), of which 5.02 million tons in November (-3.6% m/m; -7.7% y/y), hot-rolled products – 205.31 million tons (+5% y/y), 17.8 million tons in November (-1.8% m/m; +1.7% y/y), cold-rolled products – 44.35 million tons (+7.7% y/y), 4.3 million tons (-2.1% m/m; +3% y/y). Wire rod production decreased by 0.6% y-o-y – to 123 million tons in 11 months, and by 7.1% m-o-m and 10.2% y-o-y – to 10.09 million tons in November, and rebar production decreased by 3.2% y-o-y – to 172.95 million tons and by 4.1% m-o-m and 17.9% y-o-y – to 13.75 million tons in November.

Overall, rolled steel production for the period increased by 4% compared to January-November 2024, to 1.333 billion tons. In November, this figure decreased by 2.3% month-on-month and 2.4% year-on-year, to 115.91 million tons.

As a reminder, steel production in China in November decreased by 10.9% compared to the same month last year and by 2.9% compared to the previous month, to 69.87 million tons. The indicator has been declining for the sixth consecutive month in monthly comparison and reached its lowest level since December 2023.

In 2024, China reduced steel production by 1.7% compared to the previous year, 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.