SHANGHAI, May 10 (SMM)—China’s stainless steel output came in at 2.94 million mt in April, down 2.59%, or 78,200 mt, from March, but up 33.82% from a year ago, according to SMM data.

Output of #200 stainless steel shrank 74,400 mt or 7.58% from March, and totalled 3.51 million mt in the first four months of 2021, rising 37.89% from the same period last year. It is expected to drop 15.31% on the month to 768,000 mt in May as many mills will conduct maintenance or switch to produce other series.

Output of #300 stainless steel expanded 74,100 mt or 5.43% from March to 1.44 million mt in April. This was 27.16% higher on the year. #300 stainless steel output has been increasing since after the Chinese New Year holiday, and is expected to rise further by 1.33% on the month to 1.46 million mt in May.

Output of #400 stainless steel shrank by 77,900 mt or 11.6% from March to 593,400 mt in April, and totalled 2.39 million mt in the first four months of 2021, up 87.9% compared with the same period last year. It is expected to further fall to 572,100 mt in May as inventory pressure prompts steel makers to reduce output.