Production Recovery
China's key steel enterprises produced 19.73 million tons of crude steel in the first ten days of August 2026, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) released on August 14. This translates to an average daily output of 1.973 million tons, representing a 5.8% month-on-month increase from late July.
Output Breakdown
| Product | Total Output (Million Tons) | Daily Average | MoM Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude steel | 19.73 | 1.973 million tons | +5.8% |
| Pig iron | 18.50 | 1.850 million tons | +5.5% |
| Steel products | 18.19 | 1.819 million tons | -8.2% |
National Estimates
Based on the surveyed enterprises, CISA estimated that nationwide daily crude steel output reached approximately 2.67 million tons in early August, up about 5% from the previous period. The increase signals recovering industrial demand as construction activity picks up and infrastructure projects accelerate.
Market Implications
The rebound in steel production suggests that downstream demand from construction, manufacturing and infrastructure is strengthening after seasonal slowdowns. Steel output serves as a near-real-time indicator of China's industrial activity and fixed-asset investment momentum. However, the decline in steel product output indicates some inventory adjustment in the supply chain.