China’s Stainless Steel Exports to India Jump 367% in September
China’s stainless steel exports reached their highest monthly volume of 2026 in September, rising year-on-year despite a decline in cumulative shipments during the first nine months of the year. The latest trade data from China’s General Administration of Customs highlights contrasting trends in exports and imports.
China’s Stainless Steel Exports Rise in September
China exported 454,600 tonnes of stainless steel in September 2026, marking a 2% month-on-month increase and an 8.6% year-on-year rise. However, total exports from January to September stood at 3.35 million tonnes, down 11.4% compared with the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, China’s stainless steel imports totalled approximately 125,800 tonnes in September, declining 10.7% month-on-month. Imports from Indonesia, China’s largest stainless steel supplier, fell 15.8% to 99,900 tonnes, accounting for 79.4% of the country’s total imports.
Cold-rolled stainless steel imports from Indonesia declined 31.2% month-on-month to 71,600 tonnes. In contrast, hot-rolled imports increased 132.7% to 19,000 tonnes, while billets and other semi-finished products rose 47.3% to 9,100 tonnes.
India Emerges as a Key Destination
India remained a significant destination for Chinese stainless steel exports. Shipments to India reached 65,000 tonnes in September, declining 9.4% month-on-month but rising 367% year-on-year. Cumulative exports to India increased 172.9% year-on-year to 359,000 tonnes during January–September.
Exports to Vietnam also grew, reaching 44,000 tonnes in September, up 9.1% year-on-year. Shipments to Vietnam during the first nine months totalled 416,000 tonnes, registering 6.9% annual growth.
While September marked a monthly high for China’s stainless steel exports in 2026, cumulative shipments remained below 2025 levels. For India, the sharp year-on-year increase in imports from China highlights the growing influence of international trade flows on the domestic stainless steel market. The trend warrants attention from Indian producers as they navigate import competition, pricing dynamics and evolving domestic demand.
