China’s crude steel output up YoY in May on the back of healthy EAF steel and abundant hydropower!

In May’24, China’s crude steel production surprised to the upside, up +8% MoM or +3% YoY, on the back of electric-arc furnaces powered…

A chart displaying the evolution of China's Crude Steel Production over a 5-year period, with separate graphs for the last 3 years, utilizing colors from the IG color palette.

… by abundant river hydropower (+40% YoY) after the heavy rainfalls last months. Illustrating mixed sentiments in the steel sector, blast-furnace output slipped -1% YoY to a 3-year seasonal low, as steel mills are still focused on consolidation and reluctant to the long-term commitments implied by restarting such assets!

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