China Stainless steel output in October and forecast for November

Published: Nov 9, 2023 18:14
Source: SMM
SMM's survey shows that in October 2023, China's total stainless steel production was approximately 3.139 million mt, down 2.58% MoM but up 3.94% YoY.

SMM's survey shows that in October 2023, China's total stainless steel production was approximately 3.139 million mt, down 2.58% MoM but up 3.94% YoY. Specifically, Series 200 production was about 982,500 mt, up 3.20% MoM but down 4.52% YoY; Series 300 was around 1.4715 million mt, down 10.49% MoM and 6.00% YoY; Series 400 was about 685,000 mt, up 9.42% MoM and a significant 61.02%YoY.

In Indonesia, October's total stainless steel production was approximately 360,000 mt, up 2.86% MoM but down 7.69% YoY.

In October, the stainless steel prices declined due to unmet consumption demand in September and high inventory. High raw material costs squeezed steel mill profits, pushing some mills to reduce October production. The Series 200, with smaller cost fluctuations and less profit reduction, was more price-acceptable to consumers, causing some Series 300 production lines to switch to Series 200, increasing Series 200 production by about 30,000 mt in October. Series 400 production also increased by about 59,000 mt as some steel mills resumed production lines.

In November, while stainless steel inventories remained high, a de-stocking trend emerged. Some domestic steel mills announced production cuts, while Tsingshan in Indonesia switched some high-grade nickel matte lines to NPI, boosting the country's stainless steel production by roughly 27.78% MoM.

China’s stainless steel production is projected to be around 2.994 million mt, down 4.62% MoM. By series, Series 200 production could be approximately 918,500 mt, down 6.51% MoM; Series 300 might be around 1.4165 million mt, down 3.74% MoM; and Series 400 could be around 659,000 mt, down 3.8% MoM.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[SMM Analysis] Rigid Demand Remained Steady During the Peak March Season, Stainless Steel Inventory Edged Up Slightly While Destocking Pressure Persisted
Mar 26, 2026 17:36
[SMM Analysis] Rigid Demand Remained Steady During the Peak March Season, Stainless Steel Inventory Edged Up Slightly While Destocking Pressure Persisted
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Rigid Demand Remained Steady During the Peak March Season, Stainless Steel Inventory Edged Up Slightly While Destocking Pressure Persisted
[SMM Analysis] Rigid Demand Remained Steady During the Peak March Season, Stainless Steel Inventory Edged Up Slightly While Destocking Pressure Persisted
Mar 26, 2026 17:36
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher, While Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered
Mar 24, 2026 14:24
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher, While Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered
Read More
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher, While Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher, While Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] News-Driven Disturbances Pushed SS Futures Higher to Test the Upside, Confidence in the Stainless Steel Spot Market Gradually Recovered SMM News, March 24: SS futures rose strongly. Affected by market fluctuations triggered by news of geopolitical conflict yesterday, SS futures rose sharply in the night session, and the daytime session maintained a fluctuating but relatively strong trend, closing at 14,290 yuan/mt by midday. In the spot market, boosted by the sharp rise in SS futures, market confidence somewhat recovered; although the increase in traders' spot quotations was limited, both inquiries and transactions showed signs of recovery during the week. The current market is heavily disturbed by news factors, and changes in the geopolitical conflict still need close attention. The most-traded SS futures contract strengthened and moved higher. At 10:15 a.m., SS2605 was quoted at 14,305 yuan/mt, up 125 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in Wuxi were in the range of 115-315 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt; for cold-rolled trim-edge 304/2B coils, the average price in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt, while the average price in Foshan was unchanged; cold-rolled 316L/2B coils in Wuxi were unchanged; for hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils, Wuxi quotations were unchanged; cold-rolled 430/2B coils in both Wuxi and Foshan were also unchanged. As the market entered the traditional peak consumption season of "Golden March and Silver April," although the stainless steel market ushered in a seasonal recovery window, end-use demand fell short of expectations, downstream wait-and-see sentiment gradually intensified, and the procurement side only maintained a restocking pace for rigid demand, with none of the transaction momentum typically seen in the peak season emerging. The market's view on stainless steel prices...
Mar 24, 2026 14:24
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Fluctuated Higher, and Stainless Steel Spot Prices Followed the Upward Trend
Mar 23, 2026 13:22
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Fluctuated Higher, and Stainless Steel Spot Prices Followed the Upward Trend
Read More
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Fluctuated Higher, and Stainless Steel Spot Prices Followed the Upward Trend
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Fluctuated Higher, and Stainless Steel Spot Prices Followed the Upward Trend
[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review] SS Futures Oscillated Higher, Stainless Steel Spot Prices Rose in Tandem SMM News, March 23: SS futures oscillated higher and tested upward. Although the escalation of geopolitical conflicts in Iran weighed on the broader nonferrous futures, nickel and SS futures maintained a strong upward trend, closing at 14,140 yuan/mt by the midday break. In the spot market, agents of steel mills raised quotations, and coupled with the strong performance of SS futures, stainless steel spot prices moved higher during the day. Driven by the mentality of rush to buy amid continuous price rise and hold back amid price downturn, downstream end-users showed improved inquiry and trading activity. At present, stainless steel mills are under significant cost pressure, and the market holds strong expectations for cost support to prices. Although macro factors may limit any substantial price rise, room for a pullback is also constrained. The most-traded SS futures contract strengthened and moved higher. At 10:15 a.m., SS2605 was quoted at 14,180 yuan/mt, up 30 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot premiums for 304/2B in Wuxi were in the range of 190-390 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the average price of cold-rolled 201/2B coil in Wuxi rose by 50 yuan/mt; for cold-rolled trim-edge 304/2B coil, the average price in Wuxi was flat, while that in Foshan rose by 50 yuan/mt; cold-rolled 316L/2B coil in Wuxi was unchanged; hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coil was quoted flat in Wuxi; cold-rolled 430/2B coil in both Wuxi and Foshan was also unchanged. As the traditional September-October peak season approaches, the stainless steel market is seeing a seasonal recovery window, but end-use demand has fallen short of expectations. Wait-and-see sentiment among downstream players has gradually intensified, and proc……
Mar 23, 2026 13:22
China Stainless steel output in October and forecast for November - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)