Specifically, in recent years, China's imports of non-oriented electrical steel have continued to decline. The total imports for the entire year of 2023 were 119,000 mt, while by the end of 2024, the total imports for the year were only 76,100 mt, representing a 36% YoY decrease. As of the first five months of 2025, the current total imports were only 26,100 mt, far below the average for the same period, with nearly all monthly YoY comparisons showing negative growth trends.Exports increased from 74.37 mt in 2023 to 805,100 mt in 2024, representing an 8% YoY increase. As of the first five months of 2025, the current total exports were 343,100 mt, with export volumes still showing an expansion trend.

This week, the total rebar inventory stood at 5.121 million mt, increasing by 21,200 mt or 0.42% WoW (previous value: -0.91%). Compared to the same period last lunar year, it decreased by 1.9578 million mt or 27.66% (previous value: -28.88%).

According to the SMM survey, as of July 15, the operating rate of 50 steel mills specializing in construction materials nationwide stood at 33.8%, up 0.78% WoW, while the capacity utilization rate was 35.04%, down 0.15% WoW. The daily average production of construction materials was 78,000 mt, down 300 mt WoW.

Today, DCE iron ore futures continued to rally, with the most-traded contract I2509 closing at 785.5, up 1.81% for the day. Traders were highly motivated to sell, and speculative trading also increased. Steel mills purchased as needed, showing good purchase willingness.

[SMM Steel Mill Guidance Price] Guidance prices for various series of domestic large stainless steel mills on July 17

[SMM Stainless Steel Daily Review: Stainless Steel Inventory Pressure Eases, Market Sentiment for Price Increase is Evident] SMM reported on July 17 that the SS futures market experienced a trend of initial decline followed by an increase, showing an overall upward exploration. In the spot market, influenced by the weakening futures market in the morning, the sentiment of spot traders was slightly weak, and quotes continued the weak trend from the previous day. Subsequently, as the futures market gradually strengthened and climbed, spot quotes also increased, and inquiry enthusiasm gradually recovered. Although transactions did not become significantly active, market sentiment had improved significantly, with the recent spot market being notably influenced by the futures market. This week, the social inventory of stainless steel dropped back slightly again, decreasing by 0.82% to 982,700 mt. In the futures market, the most-traded contract 2509 was in the doldrums. At 10:30 a.m., SS2509 was quoted at 12,640 yuan/mt, down 70 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The spot premiums/discounts for 304/2B stainless steel in the Wuxi area ranged from 180 to 380 yuan/mt. In the spot market, the cold-rolled 201/2B coils in Wuxi and Foshan were both quoted at 7,650 yuan/mt; the cold-rolled 304/2B coils with rough edges had an average price of 12,750 yuan/mt in Wuxi and 12,750 yuan/mt in Foshan; the cold-rolled 316L/2B coils were priced at 23,700 yuan/mt in Wuxi and 23,700 yuan/mt in Foshan; the hot-rolled 316L/NO.1 coils were both quoted at 23,200 yuan/mt in the two regions; the cold-rolled 430/2B coils in Wuxi and Foshan were both priced at 7,100 yuan/mt. Despite the stop falling and rebound of the SS futures market and the strengthening of prices, the fundamental aspects of stainless steel spot...

[Domestic Iron Ore Brief Review: Hot Metal Production at High Levels Supports Iron Ore Demand; Tangshan Region's Iron Ore Concentrates Prices Still Have Room to Rise] Today, the supply and demand in Tangshan's domestic ore market remained at a standstill. The current delivery-to-factory price for 66-grade dry-basis iron ore concentrates, including tax, is 890-895 yuan/mt. The futures market for iron ore has risen, driving up the producers' reluctance to budge on prices and their bullish sentiment. Mines and beneficiation plants have strengthened their reluctance to budge on prices and are not in a hurry to sell.

In recent years, with China's energy transition, the proportion of investment and installations in wind and solar power sector has remained high, while the proportion of new installations in traditional energy sector has been relatively small.