[China Sheets & Plates Imports & Exports] January-December 2025, China's sheets & plates exports decreased 3% YoY

• China's steel exports increased 8% YoY in 2025, while sheet & plate exports decreased 3% YoY.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China exported 11.301 million mt of steel in December 2025, up 1.321 million mt MoM, an increase of 13.24% MoM. From January to December, China exported 119.019 million mt of steel, up 7.5% YoY.

Among these, China's steel sheet & plate exports totaled 6.2046 million mt in December 2025, up 567,200 mt MoM, a MoM increase of 10.1%. Cumulative sheet & plate exports from January to December reached 68.092 million mt, down 2.6% YoY.

From a percentage perspective, China's steel sheets & plates exports accounted for approximately 51% of total steel exports (including steel billet) in 2025, down about 9% year-on-year compared to the same period in 2024; while exports of rebar, coiled rebar, and steel billet accounted for about 25% of total steel exports (including steel billet) this year, up approximately 9% year-on-year compared to the same period in 2024.

• Coated and Galvanized Steel Remains the Top Exported Steel Product Category in China.

In 2025, total exports of coated and galvanized steel sheets and coils reached 31.09 million mt, an increase of 4.2434 million mt (16%) compared with the same period in 2024; silicon steel exports totaled 1.5144 million mt, up 66,800 mt (5%); HRC exports amounted to 24.4374 million mt, down 5.4465 million mt (18%); and cold-rolled coil exports reached 5.1515 million mt, a decrease of 352,500 mt (6%).