China’s steel exports rose 9.2pct YoY in the first half of 2025, reaching 58.1 mln tons, according to the General Administration of Customs.
In June alone, exports increased 10.7pct YoY to 9.67 mln tons. However, they fell 8.5pct compared to May, marking the first time in four months that monthly exports dropped below 10 mln tons. The decline may reflect rising protectionist measures from several countries, which could dampen export momentum in the second half of the year.
Analysts attribute the strong growth in the first half primarily to a sharp increase in semi-finished steel shipments. Chinese steel exports also grew in key regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
On the import side, China’s finished steel imports declined 18pct YoY in June to 470,000 tons. Total finished steel imports in the first half of 2025 dropped 16.4pct to around 3 mln tons.
Meanwhile, iron ore imports in June surged 8.5pct YoY to 105.95 mln tons, the highest monthly figure so far this year. Despite the June surge, total iron ore imports in the first half declined 3pct YoY to 592.2 mln tons.
