Jun. 16, 2026 - In the January-May period this year, China's outputs of pig iron, crude steel and finished steel totaled 354.71 milion mt, 415.53 miion mt and 592.99 milion mt, decreasing by 3.1 percent, 3.1%, and 1.5% year on year, respectively, as announced by China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The decline in crude steel output in the first five months was 0.2 percentage points slower than the decrease recorded in the first four months, against the backdrop of supply-side structural reform and self-discipline in production control by the steel industry.

In May alone, China's outputs of pig iron, crude steel and finished steel totaled 72.97 million mt, 84.36 milion mt and 123.03 milion mt, decreasing by 2.6%, 2.7% and 2.8% year on year, while increasing by 3.2%, 0.9% and 0.3% month on month, respectively.

The month-on-month rise of o.9% in crude steel output refiected increased output during the traditional peak season of May.