Steel inventories at key Chinese mills rose by the end of early September 2026, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

Inventories at major steel enterprises totaled 16.52 million tonnes by September 10, up 1.7% from August 31.

The figure was up 16.8% from the start of the year, down 3.8% from the same period a month earlier, up 4.4% from the same period a year earlier and up 10.4% from the same period two years earlier.

By region, inventories fell only in northern and northwestern China compared with August 31, while all other regions saw increases. Northern China's inventories dropped 10.3%, while northwestern China's fell 5.5%, data showed.

Central-south China posted the largest gain, with inventories rising 15.6%. Within the region, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region saw inventories climb 31.4%, Guangdong rose 16.4%, Henan gained 12.7%, Hubei added 23.5% and Hunan edged up 4.7%.