CONF: Structural opportunities seen for China's steel market in 2026

Despite continued pressure from weakening domestic demand, structural opportunities are expected to emerge in China's steel market in 2026, according to industry representatives from steel mills, trading companies, and financial institutions. The views were shared during a roundtable discussion at Mysteel's annual conference held in Shanghai over December 19-21.

"Chinese steel prices are likely to continue fluctuating around the cost line in the coming year, mainly because the market remains in a fundamental surplus," said An Yu, chief analyst at the marketing center of Angang Steel. For 2026, the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), An said domestic