May 2025
Iron Ore & Steel
WEEKLY: China mills’ imported iron ore stocks fall to YTD low
Source: Mysteel
Chinese steelmakers have shown a weaker appetite for restocking imported iron ore recently, as they started to trim their production in view of the upcoming low season for steel demand in summer. As a result, imported iron ore stocks held by Chinese mills have slipped further, according to Mysteel’s survey. FULL STORY
Steel industry is unsure if China will implement output cuts plans
Source: Energy News
China has said it will cut its crude steel production this year, but traders and steelmakers believe Beijing will not follow through because the industry is profitable and trade tensions are weighing on the economy. FULL STORY
Iron ore to fall by a weekly loss due to softer China demand and trade uncertainty
Source: Energy News
The price of iron ore futures fell on Friday, and are set to lose money for the week due to a softer demand for this steelmaking ingredient. Traders brace themselves for more trade uncertainty. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: Aust., Brazilian iron ore shipments edge up further
Source: Mysteel
The total volume of iron ore dispatched to global destinations from the 20 ports and 17 mining companies in Australia and Brazil under Mysteel’s regular tracking increased for the second week over May 19-25, albeit by a small 0.9% on week to reach 27.3 million tonnes. The increase was contributed by lifted ore shipments from Australia, the data showed. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China mills’ imported iron ore stocks fall to YTD low
Source: Mysteel
Chinese steelmakers have shown a weaker appetite for restocking imported iron ore recently, as they started to trim their production in view of the upcoming low season for steel demand in summer. As a result, imported iron ore stocks held by Chinese mills have slipped further, according to Mysteel’s survey. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China’s iron ore port stocks slip further before holiday
Source: Mysteel
With China’s three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday just around the corner, inventories of imported iron ore stockpiled at the country’s major 45 ports under Mysteel’s regular tracking dropped for the fourth straight week to 138.7 million tonnes as of May 29, down by another 1.2 million tonnes or 0.9% on week and marking the lowest level in 15 months, according to Mysteel’s data. FULL STORY
Miner’s win-win cooperation strategy key to long-term success
Source: China Daily
Zijin Mining Group, a multinational mining company headquartered in East China’s Fujian province, specializes in the global exploration and development of metals such as copper, gold, zinc and lithium, as well as engineering and technological research. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: Steel stocks at Chinese traders thin further before holiday
Source: Mysteel
The stocks of finished steel products at trading houses across China under Mysteel’s survey declined for a third week during May 23-29, down 3.2% on week, the latest data show. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: Chinese mines’ iron ore output at 11-month high
Source: Mysteel
Production among Chinese iron ore mining enterprises climbed for the third straight week during May 16-22 driven by increased operation resumptions at mines across different regions of the country, Mysteel’s latest survey results showed. FULL STORY
Iron ore shipments to China via Port Hedland stay stable in April
Source: Mysteel
The volume of iron ore shipped to China in April from Port Hedland, the top iron ore terminal in Western Australia, totalled 41.1 million tonnes, down by a small 86,485 tonnes or 0.2% from March. Meanwhile, the tonnage was also 3.2% lower than that in the same month last year, new data released by the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) show. FULL STORY
China Steel Exports and Imports Express 2025 Jan-Apr
Source: Mysteel
China steel imports by countries/regions in Jan-Apr Source: General Administration of Customs of China (GACC); China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) Note: The statistics are based on Monthly Bulletin published by the GACC which may differ from its Preliminary Release. FULL STORY
FLASH: CISA members’ crude steel output rises 1% in Jan-Apr
Source: Mysteel
Crude steel output among the member mills of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) during this year’s first four months increased by 1% on year to 283 million tonnes, according to the latest data released by the association on May 21. FULL STORY
GACC: China’s stainless steel exports jump 14% YoY in April
Source: Mysteel
China exported 447,800 tonnes of stainless steel in April, marking a 14.1% year-on-year surge, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) on May 20. FULL STORY
Sources say that China’s CMOC has called on Congo to lift the cobalt export prohibition.
Source: World Energy News
Three sources said that China’s CMOC group, the world’s largest cobalt mining firm, called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to lift a current export ban for battery metal due to expire in the next month. FULL STORY
Coal
Indonesian Coal Shipments To China Slide Amid New Benchmark Push
Source: World Ports
Coal imports from China’s largest supplier Indonesia tumbled 20% to 14.286 million tons in April, customs data showed on Tuesday, as Chinese buyers rejected a push by Jakarta to use its government-set benchmark in international sales, in a bid to increase royalties. FULL STORY
Sources say that China, facing a declining coal demand, has asked power plants to simply buy more coal.
Source: Energy News
Sources with knowledge on the matter say that China is urging its coal-fired plants to stockpile the fuel more and import less to try to stabilize domestic prices. However, traders are skeptical the measures will stop the slide. FULL STORY
World’s largest fleet of driverless mining trucks operate in North China
Source: China Daily
HOHHOT — A fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks has been put into operation at an open-pit mine in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, marking the largest-scale application of such vehicles globally. FULL STORY
China’s coal imports from Russia drop amid shift to domestic coal
Source: World Ports
China’s coal imports from Russia fell 13% in April from the same month last year to 7.397 million metric tons, customs data showed on Tuesday, as overall coal imports fell sharply. FULL STORY
DAILY: China’s met coal slips further on graver fundamental imbalance
Source: Mysteel
The graver fundamental imbalance kept sending the Chinese metallurgical coal market lower on May 28, with Mysteel’s assessment of the national composite coking coal price registering Yuan 1,015/tonne ($141/t) including the 13% VAT, down by a larger Yuan 8.3/t from the previous session. FULL STORY
CNCA: China’s coal output growth to exceed consumption in 2025
Source: Mysteel
China’s coal production is expected to grow at a faster pace than its consumption of the fuel in 2025, the China National Coal Association (CNCA) said in a report by state broadcaster CCTV, hinting at the oversupply situation lingering through at least the end of this year. FULL STORY
GACC: China’s thermal coal imports slump 18% YoY in April
Source: Mysteel
China’s imports of thermal coal tumbled by 18.1% on year to 27.17 million tonnes in April, according to the General Administration of Customs (GACC). The figure represented the third straight month of year-on-year declines, suggesting the country has reined in imports of the fuel in a bid to ease the domestic oversupply issue. FULL STORY
Soybean
China outlines measures to boost yields of grain and oil crops
Source: China Daily
China aims to promote the increase in large-scale yields of grain and oil crops per unit, with specific measures outlined at an agriculture working conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Suihua, Heilongjiang province, said an online statement on Tuesday. FULL STORY
China-Brazil agricultural partnership benefits both
Source: China Daily
Accompanying Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his recent visit to China was an important delegation representing Brazil’s agricultural sector. This large agribusiness presence was not surprising. FULL STORY
China purchases 345m tons of autumn grain
Source: China Daily
China purchased a total of 345 million metric tons of 2024 autumn grain by the end of April, according to data released by the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration on Monday, marking one of the highest levels in recent years. FULL STORY
Malaysia, China reach deal to expand palm oil supplies
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
Malaysia and China have signed a strategic agreement to develop palm oil supply chains in western China, expanding green industry cooperation between the two countries. FULL STORY
China’s Retreat From US Corn Makes It Cheaper for Rest of Asia
Source: Bloomberg
China’s shift away from US corn is benefiting other Asian buyers as cheaper American supply flows into the broader market, shaking up competition for the grain used in animal feed and biofuels. FULL STORY
Uruguay clinches rapeseed and soybean meal deal with China
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
Uruguay and China have signed a historic agreement that allows the South American country to export rapeseed and soybean meal. The phytosanitary protocol ensures safety, inspection and traceability standards for these high-protein products, which are in high demand for animal feed in Asia. The agreement provides for the export of trial batches while inspections of processing plants are ongoing, with plans for further approval of rapeseed exports. FULL STORY
China’s soybean meal market continues to decline
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
According to the SunSirs China Commodity Analysis System, since May, soybean raw material imports to China have been dominated by negative factors, and the soybean meal market has been continuously declining. Since the beginning of the month, the market price of soybean meal on the domestic market has fallen by 13.77%. FULL STORY
Malaysia stirs ‘hotpot diplomacy’ with palm-based fat for China
Source: The Edge
Malaysia is seeking to expand its palm oil market in China by offering a plant-based alternative for use in mala hotpot, a popular spicy dish that’s cooked with raw meats and vegetables in a simmering pot. FULL STORY
China remains top destination for Brazilian soybeans with huge potential: industry insider
Source: People
China has been a top destination for Brazilian soybean exports over the years, taking about 70-80 percent of the country’s total exports, with huge potential remaining for future cooperation, Maurício Buffon, president of the Brazilian Soybeans Growers Association (Aprosoja Brasil), said in an interview with the Global Times. FULL STORY
Promising wheat yields in China expected as southwestern provinces begin harvest
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
Wheat harvesting has begun in China’s southwestern provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, with expectations of a strong yield driven by improved crop management and favorable growing conditions, according to agricultural authorities. FULL STORY
China’s soybean imports set to hit record high in coming months
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
China’s soybean imports recently fell to a 12-year low, and trade estimates suggest overall consumption could remain sluggish by mid-year. FULL STORY
Energy
CNOOC announces commencement of Mero4 project
Source: China Daily
CNOOC Limited announced on Tuesday that Mero4 Project, located in the Santos Basin pre-salt southeastern offshore Brazil, about 180 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, has recently commenced production. FULL STORY
Soft China dampens Asia LNG demand while Europe’s imports ease
Source: Reuters
SINGAPORE – Asia’s imports of liquefied natural gas stagnated in May while Europe’s continued to ease as demand in both of the world’s top-importing regions entered the seasonal slump between winter and summer peaks. FULL STORY
Rising gas output, pipeline supplies slow China’s LNG demand
Source: Gas Processing News
- China Q1 domestic gas output rises 2.7 Bm3, pipe gas supply up 1.2 Bm3, CNOOC says
- Jan–April LNG imports fall 31% yoy, customs data
- Rise in domestic gas supplies, mild winter, tariffs slow LNG imports
Zhejiang Energy, BP ink 10-yr LNG deal
Source: China Daily
In a move highlighting the sustained demand for natural gas in China and the ongoing efforts to secure long-term energy supplies, British energy company BP signed a 10-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement on Wednesday with Zhejiang Provincial Energy Group Co Ltd. FULL STORY
Mercuria signs long-term LNG deal with China’s Guangzhou Gas
Source: Market Screener
Mercuria Energy Trading, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based commodities trader Mercuria, has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales and purchase agreement with China’s Guangzhou Gas Group Co. FULL STORY
Sinopec projects China’s gas demand peaks 2035-2040
Source: News Minimalist
China’s natural gas demand is projected to reach its peak between 2035 and 2040, hitting approximately 620 billion cubic meters, according to Sinopec. FULL STORY
China’s refinery production in April fell by 1.4% on an annual basis
Source: World Energy News
China’s crude throughput in April fell from a year ago, according to official data released on Monday. This was due to maintenance carried out at state-owned refining plants and because independent plants reduced production amid low margins.FULL STORY
China’s surplus crude oil surged in April as refinery runs dipped
Source: CTRM Center
The volume of surplus crude oil in China available for storage surged in April for a second straight month as imports stayed relatively high and refinery processing slipped. FULL STORY
Middle East Crude-Benchmarks decline;Saudi June allocation to China steady at over one-year high
Source: Hellenic Shipping News
Middle East crude benchmark spot premiums of Oman, Dubai and Murban moved lower on Tuesday after registering a weekly gain previously, as ample supply weighs on the market. FULL STORY
Russian ESPO Oil Tanker Waits Near China As Demand Weakens
Source: World Energy News
The Big Star, a huge tanker with 2.1 million barrels of Russia’s ESPO Blend oil onboard, has been waiting near China in a potential sign of weaker demand for the crude in the region, LSEG data showed and two traders said on Friday. FULL STORY
Russell: Trade truce will not revive China’s energy imports from the US
Source: World Energy News
Markets have welcomed the move by China and the United States to negotiate and reduce tariffs, but this will not do much to restore trade in energy commodities. FULL STORY