Posted on 22 Oct 2026
China's stainless steel exports reached 454,577 tonnes in September, the highest monthly level so far this year. The total was higher by 8,914 tonnes, or 2% from August, and up 36,250 tonnes, or 8.7%, year on year, according to new data from the country's General Administration of Customs (GACC).
The September rebound, however, contrasts with the weaker year-to-date trend, with cumulative exports for January-September down 11.4% year on year.
Among key destinations, exports to India – the top buyer of Chinese stainless steel last month – totaled 65,067 tonnes, down 6,778 tonnes, or 9.4%, from August. However, this volume represents a notable gain of 51,135 tonnes, or 367%, from September last year.
For January-September, China's cumulative stainless steel exports to India reached 359,392 tonnes, marking a huge increase of 227,677 tonnes, or 172.9%, from the same nine months last year.
Meanwhile, China's stainless imports totaled 125,823 tonnes in September, down 15,113 tonnes, or 10.7%, month on month. However, this was up 5,501 tonnes, or 4.6%, from September last year. Indonesia remained the dominant supplier, accounting for 99,881 tonnes, or nearly 80% of China's total stainless steel imports.
China's net stainless steel exports reached 328,754 tonnes in September, up 24,027 tonnes, or 7.9%, from August and up 30,749 tonnes, or 10.3%, year on year.
The January-September cumulative picture, however, shows a different trend. Total exports for the period amounted to 3,350,773 tonnes, plunging 431,606 tonnes, or 11.4%, from the same period last year, the GACC numbers show. Cumulative imports stood at 1,140,171 tonnes, up a marginal 2,272 tonnes, or 0.2%. Consequently, net exports for the period totaled 2,210,602 tonnes, down by a sharp 433,878 tonnes, or 16.4%, from the same period last year.
Source:Mysteel Global
