en.Wedoany.com Reported - According to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), in early July 2026, the steel inventory of key statistical steel enterprises stood at 16.77 million tons, an increase of 490,000 tons or 3.0% from the previous ten-day period. Compared with the beginning of the year, inventory increased by 2.63 million tons, up 18.6%; year-on-year, it increased by 1.70 million tons, up 11.3%.

The China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) is a national industry organization for China's steel sector, responsible for industry statistics and information release. This survey covers the steel inventory of key steel enterprises and serves as an important indicator for observing the supply-demand dynamics of the steel industry.

While inventory of key steel enterprises rebounded month-on-month in early July, crude steel daily output edged down 0.1% month-on-month to 2.022 million tons. The rise in inventory alongside a slight decline in output reflects weak downstream demand under the impact of extreme weather events.

From a regional perspective, inventory in Northeast China increased by 230,000 tons (+14.9%), mainly driven by a 210,000-ton increase in Liaoning Province; inventory in Central and South China rose by 310,000 tons (+11.7%), primarily related to increases of 110,000 tons each in Hubei and Guangdong provinces; inventory in East China grew by 300,000 tons (+5.9%), with Shandong, Shanghai, and Jiangsu contributing the main increments. Inventory in North China decreased by 150,000 tons (-3.1%), Northwest China fell by 200,000 tons (-20.3%), while Southwest China remained largely flat.

The month-on-month rebound in inventory in early July indicates a short-term increase in supply pressure. Meanwhile, social inventory of five major steel products across 21 cities stood at 9.69 million tons, up 340,000 tons or 3.6% month-on-month, with the pace of inventory accumulation expanding. As a key leading indicator reflecting market supply-demand relationships, the subsequent trend of steel inventory warrants continued attention.