China’s finished steel exports declined 9.85pct YoY to 24.7 mln tons in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.
In March alone, Chinese steel exports totalled 9.13 mln tons, down 12.7pct YoY.
The decline follows a record 2025 and is attributed to the introduction of a new export licensing regime from January, increased protectionist measures against Chinese steel, as well as recent factors including escalating Middle East tensions and a stronger yuan.
Meanwhile, China’s iron ore imports rose 10.5pct YoY to 314.76 mln tons in January-March. March imports reached 104.74 mln tons, up 11.4pct YoY.
