Posted on 05 Jan 2026
Inventories of the five major carbon steel products held by the Chinese steel mills sampled in Mysteel's regular survey declined further during December 26-31 to reach 3.81 million tonnes, lower by 1.1% from the prior survey period that ended on December 25 and marking the third straight on-week decline. The survey period was shortened by a day due to China's New Year's holiday over January 1-3.
The five major steel items comprise rebar, wire rod, hot-rolled coil (HRC), cold-rolled coil (CRC) and medium plate. During the latest survey period, inventories of most of the five steel items slipped by varying degrees except for the rise of 2.2% in HRC stocks, the findings showed.
Some end-users returned to the market for replenishment before the January 1-3 public holiday, boosting transactions in the physical market and contributing to the further decline in steel inventories held by both Chinese steelmakers and traders, Mysteel Global noted.
Over December 26-31, inventories of the five major steel products at traders' warehouses in the 132 Chinese cities monitored by Mysteel maintained the steady decline seen since late October to sit at 14.26 million tonnes, down 1.7% from the previous survey period.
However, China's finished steel output has recovered recently, as some domestic steel mills resumed operations after completing maintenance on their steelmaking facilities.
Mysteel's other survey showed that over December 25-31, total production of the five major steel products among the sampled steel mills under its tracking reached 8.15 million tonnes, representing an on-week rise of 2.3% and ending the continuous fall over the prior four weeks.
China's finished steel prices have weakened recently due to the weak demand during the winter lull, with the national average price of HRB400E 20mm dia rebar under Mysteel's assessment standing at Yuan 3,324/tonne ($475/t) including the 13% VAT as of December 31, dipping by Yuan 3/t on week.
During the same period, the national average price of Q235 4.75mm HRC had slipped by Yuan 4/t on week to Yuan 3,290/t including the 13% VAT, according to Mysteel's assessment.
Source:Mysteel
