China's Steel Exports Rise 13.4% Year-on-Year in April

In April 2025, China exported 10.46 million tons of steel, marking a 13.4% increase compared to April 2024, according to data from the General Administration of Customs, as reported by Kallanish. On a monthly basis, exports edged up slightly by 6,000 tons, maintaining a stable level.

April’s export volume was the highest since September 2015. For the first four months of the year, total steel exports reached 37.89 million tons, up 8.2% year-on-year. However, the average export price per ton fell by 10.5% to $703.

The sharp increase in exports during March and April was largely driven by intensified efforts from Chinese exporters to boost overseas shipments amid escalating trade tensions and a rise in anti-dumping investigations. Nevertheless, market analysts broadly expect exports to decline in May and June.

On the import side, China brought in 522,000 tons of steel in April, up 4.2% from March but down 20.7% compared to a year earlier. From January to April, total steel imports dropped by 13.9% year-on-year to 2.07 million tons, with the value of those imports declining by 13.6%.

Iron ore shipments to China via sea reached 103.14 million tons in April, up 9.8% month-on-month and 1.3% year-on-year. Despite the increase in volume, the average import price fell 13.3% year-on-year to $98.1 per ton. Strong demand from domestic steel mills supported the surge in imports during the month.

For the January–April period, total iron ore imports fell by 5.5% year-on-year to 388.36 million tons, while the average price per ton dropped by 18.6% to $98.9.

In 2024, China's total steel production declined by 1.7% year-on-year to 1.005 billion tons. Despite the decrease in output, steel exports hit a record high of 110.72 million tons, representing a 22.7% increase over 2023, as weak domestic demand prompted producers to seek markets abroad. Steel imports for the year stood at 6.8 million tons, down 10.5% from the previous year.