China's steel exports decreased by 9.9% in the first quarter, but still exceeded 9 million tons in March.

According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), in the period from January to March of this year, exports of finished steel from China amounted to 24.717 million tons, a decrease of 9.9 percent year-on-year. This is the expected result after the implementation of the export license policy from January 2026, which had a negative impact on exports of finished steel. Meanwhile, since March, the war in the Middle East has also negatively affected China's steel exports.

In March alone, China's exports of finished steel totaled 9.135 million tons, which is also 12.6 percent lower than in the same month of 2025, signaling that export activity is definitely below the peak seen last year. However, the March figure is also 16.6 percent higher compared to the previous month, against the background of a low base in February due to holidays and fewer working days. In addition, demand for Chinese steel improved after the Chinese New Year holiday, which led to a month-on-month increase in steel exports in March.

The monthly export volume above 9 million tons is still assessed by market sources as "good", given logistical problems, unstable costs and high competition.

In the first three months of this year, China's finished steel imports totaled 1.339 million tons, down 14.1 percent year-on-year.