{"id":75001,"date":"2026-08-04T15:43:06","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=75001"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:43:06","slug":"china-stainless-steel-market-weakens-as-futures-slide-demand-slows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=75001&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"China: Stainless steel market weakens as futures slide, demand slows"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Futures decline amid easing concerns over Indonesia&#8217;s NPI exports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>400-series prices fall as Tsingshan reduces ferro chrome buying price<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>China&#8217;s stainless steel market remained under pressure in early August as weaker nickel and stainless steel futures, coupled with sluggish seasonal demand, weighed on market sentiment. On the first trading day of the month, SHFE nickel futures fell below RMB 130,000\/t ($19,250\/t), while stainless steel futures slipped under RMB 14,500\/t ($2,147\/t), prompting traders in Foshan to withdraw premiums and align offers with futures-linked pricing.<\/p>\n<p>The decline followed easing concerns over Indonesia&#8217;s mineral export inspection policy. Earlier expectations that stricter inspections could disrupt nickel pig iron (NPI) exports and tighten supply faded after policy implementation appeared less restrictive than anticipated, reducing the risk premium that had supported nickel prices.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the softer market, downside in stainless steel prices is expected to remain limited. Market participants noted that Indonesia&#8217;s controlled nickel ore production quotas of 250-260 million tonnes (mnt) for 2026 are likely to keep nickel ore and NPI prices elevated, providing cost support to stainless steel producers. Private mill offers for 304 cold-rolled coils were assessed at around RMB 14,900-14,950\/t ($2,206-2,213\/t) in the domestic market.<\/p>\n<p>Demand, however, remained subdued as prolonged heatwaves and heavy rainfall reduced activity at outdoor construction sites, while the home appliance sector entered its seasonal off-season. Market participants also warned that rising stainless steel production could lead to inventory accumulation, limiting any significant price recovery in the near term.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the 400-series stainless steel market also softened after Tsingshan reduced its August ferro chrome procurement price by RMB 200\/t, weakening cost support. Domestic 430 cold-rolled coil prices were assessed at RMB 7,280-7,300\/t.<\/p>\n<p>Outlook:<\/p>\n<p>China&#8217;s stainless steel market is expected to remain range-bound in the near term. While firm nickel ore and NPI costs should support the market floor, weak seasonal demand, higher production, and the possibility of rising inventories are likely to cap any meaningful upside. Market participants will closely monitor Indonesian nickel supply policies, futures movements, and downstream demand recovery.<\/p>\n<p><em>Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between SteelDaily and BigMint.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Futures decline amid easing concerns over Indonesia&#8217;s NPI exports 400-series prices fall as Tsingshan reduces&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[313],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iron-steel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1?v=1785836581",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1?v=1785836581",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1?v=1785836581",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1?v=1785836581",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1?v=1785836581",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1?v=1785836581",1280,720,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1?v=1785836581",1280,720,true],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?resize=1115%2C715&ssl=1?v=1785836581",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?resize=800%2C500&ssl=1?v=1785836581",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1?v=1785836581",1024,576,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?resize=540%2C340&ssl=1?v=1785836581",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1?v=1785836581",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"Biz Trend 24","author_link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/author\/online24"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&#038;lang=en\" rel=\"category\">Iron &amp; Steel<\/a>","tag_info":"Iron &amp; Steel","comment_count":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-design-44.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1?v=1785836581","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":71072,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=71072&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":0},"title":"Asian stainless steel market weakens amid potential increase in nickel ore supply, tighter EU import quotas","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"July 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"SHFE nickel contract for Sep'26 declines nearly 4% w-o-w EU cuts duty-free quota for cold-rolled stainless steel by 47% SteelDaily:\u00a0The Asian stainless steel market remained under pressure in early July as concerns over a potential increase in Indonesia's nickel ore production quotas (RKAB) and the European Union's tighter import quota\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-07T184015.573.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-07T184015.573.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-07T184015.573.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-07T184015.573.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-07T184015.573.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":72597,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=72597&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":1},"title":"India: Stainless steel scrap offers edge up w-o-w on firmer nickel, buyers prefer domestic material","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"July 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Bid-offer disparities, monsoon disruptions keep bookings limited Domestic scrap continues to attract buyers due to competitive prices India's stainless steel scrap market remained firm during the week ended 17 July, supported by higher London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel prices and firmer imported offers. However, buying activity remained largely need-based as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-19T162857.651.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-19T162857.651.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-19T162857.651.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-19T162857.651.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-19T162857.651.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70027,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=70027&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":2},"title":"Indonesia&#8217;s RKAB approvals, mills&#8217; production cuts emerge as key drivers for China&#8217;s stainless steel market in Jul&#8217;26","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"June 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Nickel falls 10% in Jun'26 amid reports of hike in Indonesia production quotas Stainless steel mills' production cuts may offset weak demand, rising inventories SteelDaily:\u00a0China's stainless steel market is expected to remain volatile in July as uncertainty surrounding Indonesia's nickel ore mining quotas (RKAB) and planned production cuts by major\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-32-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-32-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-32-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-32-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-32-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":73563,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=73563&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":3},"title":"India: Stainless steel scrap market stays firm as higher nickel supports sentiment","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"July 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Domestic scrap preferred over costlier imported material Stronger US dollar limits fresh import bookings India's stainless steel scrap market remained firm in the week ended 24 July, supported by a 3% w-o-w rise in LME nickel prices to $17,420\/t. However, trading activity remained subdued as stainless steel mills continued to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-77-5.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-77-5.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-77-5.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-77-5.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-77-5.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53641,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=53641&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":4},"title":"China weekly: Steel prices edge higher w-o-w on raw material support, gains in SHFE futures","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"January 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Positive macroeconomic outlook, firm restockingfuel iron ore price hike Met coke market remains weak as steel mills make cautious purchases Chinas steel prices edged higher this week, supported by gains in SHFE futures and higher raw material costs. Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) and rebar prices rose marginally w-o-w. Raw materials,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Untitled-design-2026-01-11T132456.647.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Untitled-design-2026-01-11T132456.647.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Untitled-design-2026-01-11T132456.647.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Untitled-design-2026-01-11T132456.647.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Untitled-design-2026-01-11T132456.647.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":71534,"url":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?p=71534&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":75001,"position":5},"title":"China: Iron ore fines prices rise by $1\/dmt, as coking coal corrects","author":"Biz Trend 24","date":"July 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Port operations disruption fueled gain in futures Easing coking coal tags, lent support to iron ore Iron ore fines (Fe 61%) spot prices gained $0.6\/dmt d-o-d to $99.05\/dmt CFR China on 10 July 2026, driven by mounting concerns over potential supply disruptions from Australia and improved sentiment following a decline\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Iron &amp; Steel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Iron &amp; Steel","link":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/?cat=313&lang=en"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-21-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-21-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-21-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-21-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/biztrend24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-21-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75001"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75001\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75003,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75001\/revisions\/75003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/75002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biztrend24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}