China's steel exports rose both year on year and month on month in August 2026, marking the fourth consecutive month above 10 million tonnes, though performance diverged sharply across product categories and destinations, according to a monthly report on steel product imports and exports released by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

Steel exports totaled 10.16 million tonnes in August 2026, up 0.3% from the previous month and 6.8% from a year earlier. The average export price was $722.2/t, up 0.9% month on month and 3.5% year on year.

By product, long steel exports held steady while flat steel came under broad pressure, with sub-categories showing mixed trends. Billet exports fell for a second straight month.

Of the 22 major steel product categories, nine posted month-on-month export growth in August, and 10 categories each exceeded 500,000 tonnes for the month.

Among gainers, hot-rolled thin and wide strip exports rose 165,000 tonnes or 22.7% from the previous month, the highest monthly level since April 2025. Rebar exports increased 122,000 tonnes or 28.8% month on month.

Among decliners, heavy plate exports fell 131,000 tonnes or 42.8% from a month earlier, while bar exports dropped 80,000 tonnes or 14.5%.

Billet exports fell for a second consecutive month in August, though prices edged higher. Billet exports totaled 1.93 million tonnes in August, down 23.8% from the previous month, at an average unit price of $485.4/t, up 1.3% month on month.

By destination, steel exports diverged across markets. Exports to the African Union extended gains in August, with shipments to Egypt up 82.2% month on month, while shipments to ASEAN weakened further.

Exports to ASEAN continued to decline, with volumes to Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand all falling more than 26% from the previous month, and shipments to Malaysia down 5.8%. Exports to Indonesia were the sole bright spot, rising 38.3% month on month.

Exports to the GCC and EU faced overall pressure, with shipments to Saudi Arabia up 2.7% from a month earlier but insufficient to reverse regional weakness, while exports to the EU lacked incremental support.

China's billet exports fell by 600,000 tonnes month on month in August, with the decline mainly coming from traditional major markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.