A brief overview of China’s stainless steel import and export data in 2025
1: Stainless steel import volume
From January to December 2025, China's stainless steel imports totaled approximately 1.5192 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 358,500 tons, or 19.1%. From 2021 to now, China's stainless steel production has shown a downward trend, reducing by nearly half compared with 2021 and 2022.
From January to December 2025, China's stainless steel imports totaled approximately 1.5192 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 358,500 tons, or 19.1%. From 2021 to now, China's stainless steel production has shown a downward trend, reducing by nearly half compared with 2021 and 2022.
2: Stainless steel export volume
From January to December 2025, China's stainless steel exports totaled approximately 5.0311 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 13,900 tons, or 0.3%. Among them, 822,600 tons of pipes were exported, and 3.4533 million tons of coils and plates were exported.
From January to December 2025, China's stainless steel exports totaled approximately 5.0311 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 13,900 tons, or 0.3%. Among them, 822,600 tons of pipes were exported, and 3.4533 million tons of coils and plates were exported.
3: Net export volume of stainless steel
From January to December 2025, China's net stainless steel exports totaled approximately 3.5119 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 372,400 tons, or 11.9%.
4: Situation of the top five importing regions
Stainless steel import areas are relatively concentrated, mainly Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. In December 2025, the import volume from the three places was 132,000 tons, accounting for 90.8% of the total import volume. The cumulative import volume of these three places is approximately 1.368 million tons, accounting for 90% of the total import volume.
In December, the import volume from the top five regions was approximately 136,000 tons, accounting for 93.5% of the total import volume. The cumulative import volume of these five regions is approximately 1.411 million tons, accounting for 92.8% of the total domestic import volume.
From January to December 2025, China's cumulative stainless steel imports from Indonesia were approximately 1.2258 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 338,400 tons, or 21.6%. Among them, hot rolling accumulated about 155,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 61,900 tons, or 28.5%; cold rolling accumulated about 905,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 90,600 tons, or 11.1%; slab The total volume of billets and other steel billets was approximately 94,700 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 91,900 tons, or 58.4%. The total volume of billets and other steel billets was approximately 94,700 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 273,500 tons, or 74.3%.
5: Main export areas
From January to December 2025, China exported approximately 1.4575 million tons to Southeast Asia, an increase of 239,000 tons year-on-year (the total export volume of stainless steel increased by only 13,900 tons year-on-year), an increase of 19.6%.
From January to December 2025, China's net stainless steel exports totaled approximately 3.5119 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 372,400 tons, or 11.9%.
4: Situation of the top five importing regions
Stainless steel import areas are relatively concentrated, mainly Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. In December 2025, the import volume from the three places was 132,000 tons, accounting for 90.8% of the total import volume. The cumulative import volume of these three places is approximately 1.368 million tons, accounting for 90% of the total import volume.
In December, the import volume from the top five regions was approximately 136,000 tons, accounting for 93.5% of the total import volume. The cumulative import volume of these five regions is approximately 1.411 million tons, accounting for 92.8% of the total domestic import volume.
From January to December 2025, China's cumulative stainless steel imports from Indonesia were approximately 1.2258 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 338,400 tons, or 21.6%. Among them, hot rolling accumulated about 155,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 61,900 tons, or 28.5%; cold rolling accumulated about 905,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 90,600 tons, or 11.1%; slab The total volume of billets and other steel billets was approximately 94,700 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 91,900 tons, or 58.4%. The total volume of billets and other steel billets was approximately 94,700 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 273,500 tons, or 74.3%.
5: Main export areas
From January to December 2025, China exported approximately 1.4575 million tons to Southeast Asia, an increase of 239,000 tons year-on-year (the total export volume of stainless steel increased by only 13,900 tons year-on-year), an increase of 19.6%.
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