Steel rebar futures climbed above CNY 3,200 per ton, recovering from three-week lows as global steel production declined in April at a slower pace than in March, with the contraction in China’s steel output also easing. The data helped support market sentiment, though broader demand conditions remained mixed. Steel margins in China continue to face pressure amid persistent weakness in the country’s infrastructure and property construction sectors. Demand for Chinese steel exports has also softened, with overseas buyers showing limited willingness to purchase at elevated prices. Meanwhile, Mysteel’s latest monthly industry report indicated that long steel production is expected to rise as improved profitability encourages domestic steelmakers to increase output. However, the prospect of higher supply could add fresh downward pressure later this month if end-user demand continues to weaken.

Steel rose to 3,189 CNY/T on May 25, 2026, up 0.57% from the previous day. Over the past month, Steel's price has risen 1.24%, and is up 4.56% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Steel reached an all time high of 6198 in May of 2021. Steel - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on May 25 of 2026.

Steel rose to 3,189 CNY/T on May 25, 2026, up 0.57% from the previous day. Over the past month, Steel's price has risen 1.24%, and is up 4.56% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Steel is expected to trade at 3185.46 Yuan/MT by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 3310.21 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Gold 4,566.44 49.69 1.10% -2.49% 36.45% May/25
Silver 78.00 2.650 3.52% 3.33% 133.44% May/25
Copper 6.44 0.0930 1.47% 6.88% 33.94% May/25
Steel 3,189.00 18.00 0.57% 1.24% 4.56% May/25
Lithium 183,250.00 5250 2.95% 4.12% 193.20% May/25
Platinum 1,976.10 36.40 1.88% -1.08% 82.80% May/25
Iron Ore 109.67 -0.12 -0.11% 2.44% 9.88% May/22


Steel
Steel is one of the most important industrial materials globally, widely used in construction, infrastructure, transportation, and manufacturing. Its demand is closely linked to economic growth, industrial production, and investment in fixed assets. Steel products such as rebar are actively traded on exchanges including the Shanghai Futures Exchange and the London Metal Exchange (LME). Standard futures contracts, such as those for steel rebar, typically represent 10 metric tons. On the supply side, China is by far the largest producer of crude steel globally, followed by the European Union, Japan, the United States, India, Russia, and South Korea. Steel prices displayed on Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments and are intended to provide a general market reference only. These prices do not represent official benchmark prices. The data is supplied by a third party and, while efforts are made to ensure its reliability, Trading Economics does not verify the data and makes no representations or warranties.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3189.00 3171.00 6198.00 1580.00 2009 - 2026 Yuan/MT Daily

News Stream
Steel Rebounds as Global Output Stabilizes
Steel rebar futures climbed above CNY 3,200 per ton, recovering from three-week lows as global steel production declined in April at a slower pace than in March, with the contraction in China’s steel output also easing. The data helped support market sentiment, though broader demand conditions remained mixed. Steel margins in China continue to face pressure amid persistent weakness in the country’s infrastructure and property construction sectors. Demand for Chinese steel exports has also softened, with overseas buyers showing limited willingness to purchase at elevated prices. Meanwhile, Mysteel’s latest monthly industry report indicated that long steel production is expected to rise as improved profitability encourages domestic steelmakers to increase output. However, the prospect of higher supply could add fresh downward pressure later this month if end-user demand continues to weaken.
2026-05-25
Steel Declines on Demand Worries
Steel rebar futures fell to around CNY 3,170 per ton, hovering near their lowest levels in three weeks as signs of slowing economic activity in top consumer China weighed on the outlook for steel demand. Data released earlier this week showed that China’s retail sales and industrial production both missed expectations, while fixed asset investment unexpectedly contracted amid the impact of the global energy crisis on businesses and consumers worldwide. Domestic steel consumption in China also remained under pressure from sluggish construction activity, while demand for Chinese steel exports weakened as overseas buyers showed limited appetite for purchases at elevated prices. Meanwhile, Mysteel’s latest monthly industry report indicated that long steel output is likely to increase as improved profit margins encourage domestic steelmakers to ramp up production, potentially creating additional downward pressure later this month as end-user demand softens.
2026-05-19
Steel Retreats as Seasonal Slowdown Looms
Steel rebar futures fell below CNY 3,200 per ton, pulling back from nine-month highs as expectations of a seasonal slowdown in demand and softer downstream consumption weighed on the market. Mysteel’s latest monthly industry report indicated that construction steel prices in China are likely to face pressure this month due to weakening supply-demand fundamentals. The report also noted that long steel output is expected to increase as improving profit margins encourage domestic steelmakers to raise production, potentially adding downward pressure later in the month as end-user demand weakens, particularly in southern China during the wet season. Still, stronger-than-expected economic data from China provided some support to sentiment, with exports surging to a record high in April as companies accelerated stockpiling of components amid concerns that the Iran conflict could further raise input costs.
2026-05-13