Social inventories of five major steel products across 21 Chinese cities stood at 9.71 million tonnes as of August 31, 2026, flat from August 20.

Inventories were up 2.5 million tonnes, or 34.7%, from the start of the year, and rose 880,000 tonnes, or 10.0%, from the same period a year earlier, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association.

By region, social inventories in seven major areas mostly declined by the end of August compared to August 20, with South China posting the largest drop in volume and Northwest China the largest percentage decline. East China recorded the biggest increase in both volume and percentage terms.

Among the five major products, social inventories edged up for most varieties in end-August from August 20, with wire rod posting the largest percentage increase.

Hot-rolled coil inventories fell slightly, while medium-thick plate was flat. On a year-on-year basis, inventories of all five products rose, with hot-rolled coil registering the largest increase in both volume and percentage terms.