In 2015, China's crude steel output will likely indicate a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.09 percent to 814 million mt, while China's demand for finished steel in the given year will decrease by 0.28 percent year on year to 700 million mt, as stated by Xinchuang Li, deputy secretary-general of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and also director of the China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute, at the 13th International Steel Market and Trade Conference held in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, the CISA official also said that the average iron ore price in 2015 will likely be in the range of $60-65/mt, while iron ore prices will possibly indicate a rising trend in 2016 as the low prices in 2015 will result in the elimination of some iron ore production capacities.
In addition, Mr. Li said that China's finished steel export volume in 2015 will be at high levels in the range of around 80-90 million mt.