- Crude steel output edges up by 0.2% from late-Apr
- Finished steel output drops by 8% against late-Apr
The China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) has announced that the total steel inventory at key Chinese enterprises stood at 16.06 million tonnes (mnt) in early-May 2025. Inventory levels increased by 770,000 tonnes (t) or 5% from 15.29 mnt in late-April 2025. Moreover, the inventory inched up by 20,000 t or 0.1% m-o-m from 16.04 mnt in early-April. However, on a y-o-y basis, steel inventories declined by 220,000 t or 1.4% compared to 16.27 mnt in early-May 2024.
Production volumes
The average daily crude steel output of CISA-affiliated mills touched 2.205 mnt in early-May, a marginal rise of 0.2% compared to 2.202 mnt in late-April. Furthermore, it edged up marginally by 0.6% y-o-y from 2.19 in early-May 2024.
The average daily finished steel output stood at 2.08 mnt in early-May, a decrease of 8.4% against 2.27 mnt in late-April. Moreover, on a y-o-y basis, output rose by 2.9%.
Average pig iron output stood at 1.99 mnt in early-May, reflecting a rise of 1.6% against 1.96 mnt in late-April. Moreover, output increased by 2.8% y-o-y.
Outlook
China’s steel industry is experiencing mixed sentiment. While crude steel production is increasing, there are signs of a potential slowdown in demand, as indicated by rising inventories.
Leave a Reply