On May 20 this year, overall domestic inventories of the five main finished steel products in 21 major cities in China totaled 9.54 million mt, decreasing by 4.6 percent compared to May 10, 2.4 percentage points faster compared to the declining pace recorded in early May (May 1-10), while rising by 14.5 percent compared to the inventories of 8.33 million mt recorded on May 20 2025, as announced by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).
CISA warned that the demand and supply balance in steel market could deteriorate once again if steel demand softens seasonally and steelmakers fail to adjust their production capacity utilization rates accordingly. CISA pointed out that domestic steel mills should closely monitor the changes in demand and the latest development in the Middle East while continuing to curb their steel production outputs and aim to reduce inventories accordingly.
In particular, as of May 20, domestic inventory of HRC, CRC, steel plate, wire rod and rebar decreased by 0.5 percent, 0.7 percent, 2.7 percent, 11.7 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively, all compared to May 10.
