China has sharply increased semi-finished steel exports this year, with shipments soaring 320pct YoY to 7.4 mln tons in the first seven months of 2025, according to Chinese customs data cited by Bloomberg. July alone accounted for over 1.5 mln tons, about 14pct of total steel exports.
The surge comes despite rising global protectionism, as Chinese exporters redirect supplies to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Total steel exports from China hit a record in Q2, providing relief to a domestic market weighed down by weak property demand.
Indonesia was the largest buyer of China’s semi-finished steel so far this year, taking 1.14 mln tons, followed by the Philippines, Turkey, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
Analysts say exports, particularly of billets, are likely to remain strong unless Beijing imposes mandatory production curbs, given China’s price competitiveness. However, industry groups like the China Iron and Steel Association have urged restrictions, arguing billet exports waste local processing capacity and sustain high iron ore prices.
HRC shipments, meanwhile, fell 13pct in the same period amid anti-dumping actions by Vietnam, South Korea, and other markets.
