In the first seven months of 2026, China’s steel exports fell by 4.4% year-on-year – to nearly 65 million tonnes, according to SteelOrbis, citing customs data.

In July alone, the figure fell by 1.9% month-on-month – to 10.12 million tonnes. The figure rose by 2.9% y/y.

Imports of steel products into China in January–July totalled 3.14 million tonnes (-10.1% year-on-year). In July alone, they amounted to 445,000 tonnes, which was 0.9% higher than the previous month but 1.5% lower year-on-year.

The world’s largest consumer of raw materials imported 108.09 million tonnes of iron ore in July, according to data from the General Administration of Customs published on Friday.

Meanwhile, in the first seven months of this year, China imported 736.84 million tonnes of iron ore (+5.9% year-on-year), Reuters reports.

In July, these volumes reached 108.09 million tonnes, which is less than June’s 112.69 million tonnes, but 3.3% more than in the same period of 2025. This year’s figure has now exceeded 100 million tonnes for the fifth consecutive month.

According to analysts, China will continue to increase its iron ore imports, as steelmakers are buying more raw materials to compensate for lower iron content. Furthermore, the Simandou project in Guinea is contributing to the growth in supply.

It is worth noting that, by the end of 2025, China had increased its steel exports by 7.5% year-on-year to a record 119.02 million tonnes. Overseas shipments helped the country offset the slowdown in domestic demand. Steel imports into China last year totalled 6.06 million tonnes, down 11.1% year-on-year. Ore imports into the country in 2025 rose by 1.8% year-on-year to 1.26 billion tonnes.