China's crude steel production decreased by 3.9 percent in January-May 2026, slight recovery in May

In the period from January to May of this year, China's production of pig iron, crude steel and finished steel totaled 354.71 million tons, 415.53 million tons and 592.99 million tons, down 3.1 percent, 3.9 percent and 1.5 percent year-on-year, respectively, as announced by the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS).

The decline in crude steel production in the first five months was 0.2 percentage points slower than the decline recorded in the first four months, on the back of supply-side structural reform and self-discipline in controlling production in the steel industry.

In May alone, China's production of pig iron, crude steel and finished steel totaled 72.97 million tons, 84.36 million tons and 123.03 million tons, down 2.6 percent, 2.7 percent and 2.8 percent year-on-year, but up 3.2 percent, 0.9 percent and 0.3 percent month-on-month, respectively.

The monthly 0.9 percent increase in steel production reflected an increase in production during the traditional peak season in May.