steel production in China has fallen below 1 billion tons
China's steel production dropped below a billion tons in 2025, to a seven-year low.
Output amounted to 960.81 million tons, which is 4.4% lower than in 2024, according to the country's State Statistical Office.
In total, in December, steel production fell by 10.3% compared to the same month of the previous year, to 68.18 million tons. This is the minimum amount for two years.
Compared to November, the decrease was 2.4%. A month-on-month reduction in production was recorded for the seventh month in a row.
Experts attribute this to the protracted crisis in the real estate market, which has led to a significant weakening in demand for steel products.
Pig iron production in the country in 2025 decreased by 3% to 836 million tons, according to the GSU. In particular, in December, output amounted to 60.7 million tons, which is 9.9% lower than in the same month a year earlier.
At the same time, China's steel exports reached a record 119 million tons last year.
Mysteel analysts predict a further decline in steel production in the country in 2026, but at a slower pace. Lange Steel experts expect a reduction of about 3%.