Crude steel output at China's key steel mills fell in mid-September 2026, while steel products output rose, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

Key mills produced 19.22 million tonnes of crude steel over September 11-20, with average daily output at 1.92 million tonnes, down 0.1% from the previous ten-day period, CISA data showed.

Pig iron output totaled 17.70 million tonnes, averaging 1.77 million tonnes per day, down 1.4% from the preceding ten-day period. Steel products output reached 18.55 million tonnes, or 1.86 million tonnes per day, up 3.4% from the previous ten-day period.

By region, daily crude steel output at key mills in the northeastern, southwestern and central-south regions rose from the previous ten-day period, while other regions saw declines. The northwestern region posted the largest drop at 2.2%.

Pig iron output fell in most regions except the northeast, which saw an increase, while the southwest was roughly flat. The northwest again recorded the steepest decline at 4.6%.

Steel products output rose across all six regions, with the northeast posting the largest gain of 17.2% from the previous ten-day period.

CISA estimated national daily crude steel output at 2.41 million tonnes in mid-September, up 0.1% from the previous ten-day period. Daily pig iron output was estimated at 2.15 million tonnes, down 1.4%, while daily steel products output was 3.74 million tonnes, up 1.7%.