China's hot-rolled coil exports are growing steadily
Data from the General Administration of Customs and Lange Steel Research Center shows that China's Hot-Rolled Coil exports grew steadily in 2025, with increased export volume and market coverage, and shifted towards high quality and high added value under policy guidance.
China exported 119.019 million tons of steel in 2025, a yearon-year increase of 7.5%, with hot-rolled coils contributing significantly. Steel exports hit a monthly high of 11.301 million tons in December. As of January 14, 2026, China's hot-rolled coil export price (FOB) was 460 US dollars/ton, lower than India, Japan and Turkey, with strong competitiveness.
Exports were diversified geographically: 39.92% to the Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, South Korea as major importers), 23.08% to the Middle East and North Africa, and over 30% to emerging markets. The average export price of hot-rolled coils in 2025 was about 511 US dollars/ton, varying by region due to product differences and trade barriers.
Industry insiders said hot-rolled coil exports face both opportunities and challenges: strong infrastructure demand in emerging markets provides space, while 2026 export license management, overseas anti-dumping and carbon tariff policies bring pressure.
Domestic steel enterprises are accelerating transformation, reducing ordinary product exports, focusing on high-end R&D, optimizing market layout, expanding emerging markets, and some leading enterprises have overseas bases to avoid trade barriers.
Wang Guoqing, Director of Lange Steel Research Center, predicted that exports will drop periodically from the December high but remain stable in the long run, expecting stable volume and improved quality.