China’s Stainless Steel Exports Show Impressive Growth in 2025

As of the first five months of 2025, China’s stainless steel exports have posted a strong performance despite some market turbulence. According to official data from Chinese customs, exports rose by 10.36% year-on-year, reaching 2.1101 million metric tons (mt). However, imports of stainless steel declined notably by 26.74%, totaling 718,000 mt during the same period.

In May 2025 alone, China exported 436,300 mt of stainless steel and imported 125,100 mt. Compared to the previous month, these figures represent declines of 2.56% and 11.99%, respectively. On a year-over-year basis, May exports dropped 4.66%, while imports fell even more sharply by 28.28%. These figures reflect a softening in month-to-month demand but an overall strong export trend over the first half of the year.

Notably, China’s net export volume of stainless steel in May stood at 311,300 mt, up 1.82% from April and 9.88% higher than May 2024. Cumulatively from January to May 2025, the country’s net exports hit 1.3921 million mt, showing an impressive 48.81% year-on-year increase.

This growth suggests China is strengthening its position as a major global supplier of stainless steel, possibly benefiting from competitive pricing, rising global demand, and strategic trade policies. While monthly fluctuations continue, the year-to-date performance points to a resilient and expanding stainless steel export sector, which could influence global supply chains in the second half of 2025.

Reference:

SteelOrbis. (2025, July 1). China’s stainless steel exports up 10.36 percent in Jan-May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.steelorbis.com/steel-news/latest-news/chinas-stainless-steel-exports-up-1036-percent-in-jan-may-2025-1398298.htm.