Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: my country's steel exports increased by nearly 20% in the first half of 2025, and the proportion of high-end products reached a new high

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, from January to June 2025, my country's steel exports reached 37.8 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 19.8%, and the export value reached US$49.8 billion. Among them, the export of high-end products such as high-strength steel plates and special steels accounted for 35%, a record high.

Specific data show:

Strong demand in Southeast Asian market, accounting for 42% of total exports

Orders from countries along the "Belt and Road" route increased by 23.5% year-on-year

Exports of high-end automotive steel increased by 31.2%

Exports of marine engineering steel increased by 25.8% year-on-year

Demand for special steel for new energy equipment increased by 40.3%

Multiple factors drive export growth:

The recovery of global infrastructure projects has driven the increase in demand for construction steel

The rapid development of new energy industry has driven the demand for special steel

Domestic steel companies have upgraded their technology and improved their product competitiveness

Deepening cooperation in the "Belt and Road" initiative and expanding market channels

Industry outlook:

The China Iron and Steel Association predicts that driven by the continued recovery of the global economy, annual steel exports in 2025 are expected to reach 75 million tons. However, we must also be wary of the following risks:

Tendencies in international trade protectionism

Global inflationary pressures

Supply and demand balance issues brought about by the release of new production capacity

The impact of international energy price fluctuations

Industry upgrading trends:

Domestic leading steel companies are accelerating the pace of intelligent manufacturing and green development, focusing on:

R&D of special steel for high-end equipment

Transformation of intelligent production lines

Innovation in low-carbon smelting technology

Extension of the new material industry chain