[SMM Survey] Central China Rolling Lines Weekly Survey: Annual Maintenance of Rolling Lines, Production Expected to Continue Declining Next Week

Published: Nov 25, 2025 09:27

Source: SMM

Save

During the survey period (November 18–November 24), rebar production in the central region decreased slightly; both wire rod production and rolling line operating rates also declined.

During the survey period (November 18–November 24), most steel mills in the Central China region maintained their current production pace. Only a few electric furnace mills in Henan experienced phased shutdowns due to clean production inspections, leading to a slight decline in rebar production. Regarding in-factory inventory, the WoW change in steel mill inventories in the Central China region was basically flat, though there were slight variations among provinces. In Hubei, some mills increased their own inventories and reduced supply to distributors to ensure future direct supply volumes, as they had maintenance plans. In Henan and Hunan, in-factory inventories decreased slightly, as some mills reduced production due to losses or suspended operations for inspections.
Next week, rebar production and operating rates at steel mills in the Central China region are expected to decline significantly. This is mainly because two blast furnace steel mills in Hubei plan to conduct annual maintenance on their rebar rolling lines at the end of November, while one EAF steel mill is scheduled to halt production from early December, leading to a decrease in the capacity utilization rate.

During the survey period (November 18–November 24), both wire rod production and operating rates in the Central China region declined. Specifically, a few steel mills in Hubei suspended their wire rod rolling lines during this period, while some electric furnace mills in Hunan halted production due to clean production inspections. On the inventory side, reduced mill supply combined with relatively stable wire rod demand resulted in a slight decrease in wire rod in-factory inventory this period.
Wire rod production in the Central China region is projected to decline significantly in the next period. This is mainly due to annual maintenance on wire rod rolling lines at certain mills in Hubei at the end of November, along with some mills continuing the maintenance status from the current period, leading to a corresponding drop in the operating rate.

Steel

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

17 hours ago

Before the holiday, the black chain is unlikely to see a trend-driven market [SMM Steel Industry Chain Weekly Report].

This week, ferrous metals were in the doldrums, with coking coal and coke staging a mid-week rise. At the beginning of the week, financial markets experienced sharp fluctuations, dragging down sentiment in the ferrous chain and leading to a pullback in futures. Mid-week, Indonesia's cut to coke production quotas drove coking coal and coke futures to lead the gains, though the impact was more pronounced on thermal coal, while coking coal's rise was largely sentiment-driven and short-lived. In the latter part of the week, finished products continued their seasonal inventory buildup, and support from the raw material side weakened, causing the entire ferrous chain to pull back. In the spot market, with the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, purchasing activity slowed down further, with end-users only making limited, as-needed purchases at low prices.

17 hours ago

MMi Daily Iron Ore Report (February 6)

Today, the DCE iron ore futures continued to hit bottom today, with the most-traded contract I2605 closing at 760.5 yuan/mt, down 1.23% from the previous trading day. Spot prices fell by 5–10 yuan/mt compared to the previous trading day.

17 hours ago

18 hours ago

[SMM Chromium Daily Review] Inquiries and Transactions Weakened, Chromium Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday

[SMM Chrome Daily Review: Trading and Inquiries Weakened, Chrome Market Showed Mediocre Performance Before the Holiday] February 6, 2026: Today, the ex-factory price of high-carbon ferrochrome in Inner Mongolia was 8,500-8,600 yuan/mt (50% metal content), flat MoM from the previous trading day...

18 hours ago