Steel rebar futures held below CNY 3,150 per ton, hovering near seven-week lows even after data showed China’s steel exports rose 8.8% in May from the previous month, supported by weak domestic demand and improved margins for overseas shipments. China exported 10.34 million metric tons of steel used in construction and manufacturing, the highest level since December. However, cumulative steel exports for the first five months of the year were down 8.1% from a year earlier amid growing trade protectionism from key overseas markets. Meanwhile, China’s steel market has entered its seasonally weak demand period earlier than usual this year due to persistent rainfall and the early arrival of summer heat. Construction activity typically slows during periods of heavy rain and high temperatures, weighing on demand for steel products.

Steel rose to 3,152 CNY/T on June 12, 2026, up 0.64% from the previous day. Over the past month, Steel's price has fallen 1.90%, but it is still 7.47% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Steel reached an all time high of 6198 in May of 2021. Steel - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on June 13 of 2026.

Steel rose to 3,152 CNY/T on June 12, 2026, up 0.64% from the previous day. Over the past month, Steel's price has fallen 1.90%, but it is still 7.47% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Steel is expected to trade at 3169.85 Yuan/MT by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 3295.97 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Gold 4,222.00 9.25 0.22% -9.91% 22.99% Jun/12
Silver 67.76 0.422 0.63% -22.51% 86.62% Jun/12
Copper 6.43 0.1715 2.74% -3.09% 35.66% Jun/12
Steel 3,152.00 20.00 0.64% -1.90% 7.47% Jun/12
Lithium 170,500.00 4000 2.40% -14.96% 181.12% Jun/12
Platinum 1,712.20 46.50 2.79% -22.08% 41.66% Jun/12
Iron Ore 101.62 0.02 0.02% -8.68% 6.54% Jun/12


Steel
Steel is one of the most important industrial materials globally, widely used in construction, infrastructure, transportation, and manufacturing. Its demand is closely linked to economic growth, industrial production, and investment in fixed assets. Steel products such as rebar are actively traded on exchanges including the Shanghai Futures Exchange and the London Metal Exchange (LME). Standard futures contracts, such as those for steel rebar, typically represent 10 metric tons. On the supply side, China is by far the largest producer of crude steel globally, followed by the European Union, Japan, the United States, India, Russia, and South Korea. Steel prices displayed on Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments and are intended to provide a general market reference only. These prices do not represent official benchmark prices. The data is supplied by a third party and, while efforts are made to ensure its reliability, Trading Economics does not verify the data and makes no representations or warranties.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3152.00 3132.00 6198.00 1580.00 2009 - 2026 Yuan/MT Daily

News Stream
Steel Remains Weak Despite Strong China Exports
Steel rebar futures held below CNY 3,150 per ton, hovering near seven-week lows even after data showed China’s steel exports rose 8.8% in May from the previous month, supported by weak domestic demand and improved margins for overseas shipments. China exported 10.34 million metric tons of steel used in construction and manufacturing, the highest level since December. However, cumulative steel exports for the first five months of the year were down 8.1% from a year earlier amid growing trade protectionism from key overseas markets. Meanwhile, China’s steel market has entered its seasonally weak demand period earlier than usual this year due to persistent rainfall and the early arrival of summer heat. Construction activity typically slows during periods of heavy rain and high temperatures, weighing on demand for steel products.
2026-06-09
Steel Pressured by Demand Concerns
Steel rebar futures fell toward CNY 3,140 per ton, hitting six-week lows as China’s steel market entered its seasonally weak demand period earlier than usual this year due to persistent rainfall and the early arrival of summer heat. Construction activity typically slows during periods of heavy rain and high temperatures, reducing demand for steel products. Chinese steelmakers have also come under pressure from tighter profit margins, limiting their willingness to accumulate raw material inventories or ramp up production. Margins have been further squeezed by rising coal prices following the recent mine accident in China’s Shanxi Province. Meanwhile, recent industry data showed domestic crude steel production fell 2.8% year-on-year to 83.6 million tons in April, marking the lowest April output level since 2018.
2026-06-05
Steel Rises to 2-Week High
Steel rebar futures were at CNY 3,190 per tonne in June, their highest in two weeks to sustain an over 3% increase since the start of the year as aggressive stimulus measures by the Chinese government supported expectations on demand. Major ratings houses noted they expect home prices in China to halt their decline by next year, reflecting the bottom of a major source of rebar consumption globally. The signals are consistent with measures taken by local governments to boost property buying, with the Shenzhen area easing restrictions on home buying and Guangzhou increasing subsidies. Infrastructure spending is also due to support ferrous metal buying, including Beijing's push to set up industrial and commercial hubs in Western China. On the supply front, domestic steel output eased by 2.8% annually to 83.6 million tons, the lowest amount for the month since 2018.
2026-06-02