Steel prices in China fluctuated within a narrow range in May, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), as the market transitioned from the traditional peak season to the summer offseason.
As of April 30, the China Steel Prices Index (CSPI) stood at 93.16 points, reflecting a month-on-month decline of 1.7 points or 1.79%.
Despite sluggish pricing, China’s crude steel output in the first four months of 2025 reached 345.35 million metric tons, showing a 0.4% increase year-on-year. However, apparent consumption dropped to 305.13 million mt, down 1.7% year-on-year, highlighting a continued trend of strong supply versus weakening demand.
CISA noted that seasonal factors such as heavy rainfall and high temperatures in southern China, along with the approaching plum rainy season in central regions, are expected to further suppress steel demand.
In response, CISA has urged steel producers to adopt rational production strategies, warning that overproduction in the face of weak demand could accelerate downward pressure on steel prices.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
