Chinese iron ore futures finished lower and Qingdao spot prices eased slightly as trader activity stayed thin and steel mills remained wait-and-see. Weekly supply was broadly stable, with global shipments flat and port arrivals edging down, while the Port Hedland strike has not yet materially affected availability. Near-term prices are expected to consolidate on a subdued note.
Domestic iron ore concentrate prices fell this week as supply recovered and mills pressured for lower procurement costs. With more mines expected to resume output and blast-furnace hot metal demand likely to slip, prices may ease further next week.
During Q1’26, cold rolled steel sheet prices in Asia followed a slightly declining trend, mainly due to elevated supply availability and weak downstream procurement. The prices were ~3.96 RMB/kg (Spot FD) in January and ~3.93 RMB/kg in March, indicating a marginal decrease across the quarter. Last quarter prices are ~2.56% lower compared to the previous quarter, while from January to March, prices decreased by ~0.76%. In the early part of the quarter, demand softened as industrial activity slowed during the Lunar New Year holidays, which reduced buying from construction, appliances, and manufacturing sectors. As the quarter progressed, inventories remained high because end-user consumption did not recover strongly enough to absorb available material. March saw some improvement as construction activity resumed and manufacturing buyers returned to the market, but elevated stock levels and cautious procurement limited any meaningful rebound. Export disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz also increased domestic supply availability, which added further pressure on prices.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, Cold Rolled Steel Sheet prices are expected to remain stable to slightly weak, as supply remains ample while demand recovery continues gradually.
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| Product | Category | Country | Price | Time Period |
| Cold Rolled Steel Sheet | Packaging | China | 557 USD/MT | October 2025 |
| Cold Rolled Steel Sheet | Packaging | China | 554 USD/MT | December 2025 |
Stay updated with the latest Cold Rolled Steel Sheet prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
The cold-rolled steel sheet market in China experienced volatile trading conditions throughout the fourth quarter. The prices were about 557 USD/MT (Spot FD) in October and around 554 USD/MT in December. The market witnessed multiple price spikes during the period as temporary supply constraints and periodic restocking activity created short-term tightness, though these upward movements proved unsustainable as fundamental demand conditions remained weak. Prices underwent corrective declines as downstream consumption from key sectors failed to generate sustained buying interest. Overall, demand from major consuming industries remained subdued throughout the quarter, with automotive manufacturing, home appliances, and construction sectors providing limited support.
Manufacturing activity showed constrained vitality while infrastructure consumption failed to meet expectations. Supply availability stayed adequate as production levels maintained stability, contributing to the market's inability to sustain higher price levels achieved during temporary rallies. Trade activity reflected cautious purchasing behaviour, with buyers maintaining minimal inventory positions and adopting hand-to-mouth procurement strategies.
The quarter concluded with prices trending slightly lower compared to the opening period, reflecting the persistent challenges in achieving supply-demand balance. Cold rolled steel sheet finds extensive application across automotive manufacturing for body panels and structural components, home appliances including refrigerators and washing machines, construction materials, furniture production, metal containers, HVAC equipment, and electrical enclosures.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, cold-rolled steel sheet prices are expected to face continued pressure as weak demand conditions persist and supply remains adequate.
Cold Rolled Steel Sheet are typically utilised for engineered products where high tolerances, concentricity, straightness and surface condition are required. The term ‘cold rolled’ basically refers to the rolling of flat-rolled sheet and coil products. The production process of cold rolled steel produces steel with closer dimensional tolerances and a broader range of surface finishes. Thus, cold-rolled steel offers superior strength and machinability.
Industrial machinery, Architectural components, Automobiles, Washing machines, Refrigerators
JSW Steel Coated Products Limited, Jindal Stainless Steelway Limited, Tata Iron Syndicate, Gaurang Product Private Limited, Shri Laxmi Steel Suppliers
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
In cold reduction mills, hot rolled steel is further processed and the material is cooled followed by annealing and/or tempers rolling, thus forming cold rolled steel, which is further processed to obtain the desired product.
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