en.Wedoany.com Reported - According to statistics from the Stainless Steel Branch of the China Iron and Steel Association and industry institutions, crude stainless steel output by China's above-scale producers reached 21.87 million tons in the first half of 2026, an increase of approximately 1.38 million tons year-on-year, up 5.4%. From January to May 2026, China's cumulative crude stainless steel output was about 18.51 million tons; output in the first quarter stood at 9.852 million tons, up 4.39% year-on-year.
On a monthly basis, China's crude stainless steel output in May 2026 was approximately 3.816 million tons, up 1.8% month-on-month and 25.8% year-on-year, of which 300-series output reached 2.058 million tons, up 4.9% month-on-month and 15.3% year-on-year; in June, crude stainless steel output was about 3.533 million to 3.76 million tons, down from May but still showing year-on-year growth. China's share of global stainless steel output rose from 61.3% in the first quarter of 2025 to about 62.4% in the first quarter of 2026. In comparison, global stainless steel output in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 2.5% year-on-year to 15.8 million tons.
In terms of imports and exports, from January to May 2026, China's cumulative stainless steel imports were 635,000 tons, down 11.6% year-on-year; cumulative exports were 1.613 million tons, down 30.8% year-on-year. The significant decline in exports was mainly affected by rising global trade protectionism, fluctuations in overseas market demand, and international trade frictions.
From the perspective of downstream demand, China's automobile production exceeded 16 million units in 2025 and is expected to reach 19 million units in 2026, providing support for stainless steel consumption. In addition, demand from traditional sectors such as construction, home appliances, and petrochemical equipment remains stable, while demand for stainless steel in emerging application areas such as new energy and environmental protection equipment continues to grow.
Global stainless steel output in 2025 was 64.2 million tons, of which China's output was 40.87 million tons. As the world's largest stainless steel producer, China's output growth rate continues to outpace the global average. Industry analysis indicates that in the second half of 2026, China's stainless steel market will still face a tug-of-war between capacity release and the pace of demand recovery, with the annual output growth rate expected to remain in the range of 4% to 6%.
