China's steel production saw notable fluctuations in June 2025, with crude steel output dropping by 9.2% year-on-year to 83.18 million metric tonnes (mt)—the steepest monthly decline this year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Pig iron production also dipped 4.1% to 71.91 million mt, while finished steel output rose modestly by 1.8% to 127.84 million mt.
The downturn was largely driven by seasonal maintenance among mills and reduced utilization of electric arc furnaces (EAFs), as high scrap prices rendered them less economical compared to blast furnaces. Domestic demand remained weak, while export shipments slipped below 10 million mt, adding further pressure.
From January to June, crude steel output fell by 3% year-on-year to 514.83 million mt, while finished steel rose 4.6% to 734.38 million mt, indicating resilience in downstream production. Pig iron output during the same period edged down 0.8% to 434.68 million mt.
Production cuts in key hubs like Tangshan and Shanxi are expected to weigh on output in July. According to the China Iron and Steel Association, daily crude steel production among major firms declined to 2.097 million mt in early July, with monthly output projected to fall to 80–82 million mt.
