Domestic Steel Industry Updates

1. Xinyu Iron and Steel Sets New Standard with Ultra-Thin Container Coils
   In a significant advancement, Xinyu Iron and Steel Group’s Silicon Steel Sheet Business Unit successfully produced container coils with a remarkable thickness of just 1.46mm in October 2025. This breakthrough was achieved on the company’s 1580 hot rolling line, surpassing its previous minimum thickness. The new specification enhances the company’s product range, reflecting its commitment to expanding and improving the quality of its offerings.

2. China's Steel Exports Soar to Record Levels in September
   Recent data from the General Administration of Customs revealed that China’s steel exports reached 10.465 million tons in September 2025, marking a 10% increase from August and a 3% year-on-year growth. Over the first three quarters of 2025, China’s steel exports totaled 87.955 million tons, a 9.2% rise compared to the same period in 2024, making September’s exports one of the highest of the year.

3. Color-Coated Steel Prices Drop Amid Market Adjustments
   Over the past two months, the price of color-coated steel has experienced a noticeable decline, dropping by 200 yuan per ton. Meanwhile, prices for hot-rolled coils have fluctuated around 3,300 yuan, dipping to a two-month low of 3,252 yuan. As a result, Shougang Changzhi Iron and Steel has reduced the factory prices of construction steel, including coiled rebar and deformed steel bars, by 30 yuan per ton to align with the market’s current conditions.

Global Steel Industry Developments

1. BDI Index and European Shipping Rates Reflect Positive Trends
   The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), an important measure of global shipping costs for dry bulk commodities, has been rising recently. This indicates a higher demand for raw materials such as iron ore, coal, and steel, alongside tightening vessel availability on key trade routes. European container shipping rates have similarly seen a steady increase, fueled by stronger export demand from Asia and seasonal logistics congestion ahead of the year-end holidays. Analysts predict that these higher rates could persist through Q4 2025 due to continued container demand and limited port capacity.

For international steel buyers, this signals that freight and logistics costs may stay elevated in the near term. At MOOPEC, we recommend that our global clients proactively manage their shipment schedules and secure competitive freight rates to mitigate the impact of these market shifts.

1. China’s Mineral Resources Group and BHP Forge Landmark RMB Settlement
   A major development in the global commodities market occurred with China Mineral Resources Group and BHP Billiton agreeing to settle iron ore spot trades in Chinese Renminbi (RMB) starting in Q4 2025. This historic agreement gives China greater pricing power over iron ore, potentially driving down iron ore prices in the future.

2. Severe Congestion on Kazakhstan-Russia Freight Corridor
   The transport corridor between Kazakhstan and Russia has been severely congested since mid-September 2025, with thousands of trucks stuck in a backlog. As of early October, over 5,000 freight trucks were still delayed, disrupting trade routes and impacting logistics between Central Asia and Russia.

3. Trump's 100% Tariff Increase on Chinese Goods Sparks Market Concerns
   In response to China's new export controls, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a retaliatory 100% tariff hike on Chinese goods, effective November 1, 2025. This new tariff, in addition to existing trade duties, will affect a wide range of Chinese exports and could lead to significant market volatility, particularly in U.S. stock markets.