Steel inventories at key Chinese steel mills rose by mid-September 2026 from the last period, according to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

Inventories at major steel enterprises totaled 17.08 million tonnes by September 20, up 560,000 tonnes or 3.4% from September 10, CISA data showed.

The figure was up 2.94 million tonnes or 20.8% from the beginning of the year, but down 1.25 million tonnes or 6.8% from the same period a month earlier.

It rose 1.79 million tonnes or 11.7% from the same period a year earlier and was up 1.43 million tonnes or 9.1% from the same period two years earlier.

By region, steel inventories at key mills in all six major regions increased to varying degrees by mid-September. Northeast China saw inventories rise 260,000 tonnes or 14.1%, while North China gained 40,000 tonnes or 0.8%.

East China's inventories increased 60,000 tonnes or 1.1%, Northwest China added 20,000 tonnes or 2.8%, Southwest China rose 10,000 tonnes or 1.2%, and Central-south China climbed 170,000 tonnes or 5.6%.