China produced 73.59 million tonnes of crude steel in September 2026, up 0.1% year on year, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA). Average daily crude steel output reached 2.453 million tonnes, rising 1.9% from the previous month.

Pig iron production totalled 65.34 million tonnes, down 1.4% year on year, with average daily output of 2.178 million tonnes.

The crude steel figures show two distinct signals: production was nearly unchanged from a year earlier, while the daily production rate increased from the previous month. The monthly rise therefore points to a pickup in production intensity, but the modest annual change offers limited support for describing September as a broader expansion in steel output. The 1.9% increase applies specifically to average daily production, rather than total monthly tonnage.

The divergence between crude steel and pig iron also deserves attention. Crude steel output edged higher year on year while pig iron output declined, so the figures do not indicate uniform growth across both production stages. They alone do not establish what drove that difference or whether it will persist.

For steel buyers, the higher daily crude steel production rate is a supply indicator to monitor. Its effect on availability and prices will depend on how production compares with demand and inventory movements. Subsequent production, inventory and demand figures would help establish whether September’s faster daily output is being absorbed by the market or adding to supply pressure.