
Recent Middle East conflicts have disrupted the region's booming energy storage market, a major destination for Chinese exports. To assess the real impact on Chinese supply chains and project deliveries, we must analyze baseline demand amidst these geopolitical uncertainties.
Mar 9, 2026 17:58March planned rebar production was 7.9565 million mt, an increase of 923,500 mt from February’s actual production, up 13.13%. March planned wire rod production was 3.1036 million mt, an increase of 466,300 mt from February’s actual production, up 17.68%. In March, the long steel export schedule for sample steel mills was 712,000 mt, an increase of 137,000 mt MoM; of which the steel billet export schedule was 270,000 mt, down 23,000 mt MoM.
Mar 9, 2026 13:30According to SMM, the operating rate of the copper plate/sheet and strip industry was 41.98% in February 2026, down 28.04 percentage points MoM and down 14.49 percentage points YoY. Among them, the operating rate of large enterprises was 47.35%, that of medium-sized enterprises was 35.28%, and that of small enterprises was 31.80%.
Mar 9, 2026 14:23
Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off the global sulphur supply chain (China’s import dependence exceeds 50%, with the Middle East accounting for 56%). Sulphur prices surged to 4,395 yuan/mt, directly pushing up phosphate fertiliser costs. Rigid demand from spring ploughing provided support, but China’s policies to ensure supply and stabilise prices curbed phosphate fertiliser gains。
Mar 9, 2026 08:29SMM Analysis: According to SMM, the operating rate of China's copper foil enterprises was 84.26% in February 2026, down 4.3 percentage points MoM and up 16.61 percentage points YoY...
Mar 9, 2026 15:11SMM News on March 9: Dealers in Zhejiang reported a relative improvement in end-use consumption in the automotive lead-acid battery market, mainly due to post-holiday restocking by retailers. Battery inventory declined accordingly, while lead prices struggled to rise, and wholesale prices in the battery market have not seen significant changes for the time being; for example, the mainstream model 6-QW-45Ah was at 200-220 yuan/unit. Manufacturers in Hebei reported that after the holiday, dealers restocked as needed, and automotive lead-acid battery orders improved in March. In addition, factory staff have basically returned to work, and the current operating rate has exceeded 90%. Raw material lead is mainly procured under long-term contract. Manufacturers in Jiangxi reported that domestic demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market improved, while on the export side, affected by the SHFE/LME price ratio for lead, tariffs, and Middle East ocean shipping, export orders remained sluggish, and the current operating rate is maintained at 70-80%.
Mar 9, 2026 17:31Dear Users: To ensure the consistency of data with the source and respond to customer feedback, we have expanded the unit of Lead-related import and export data in the non-ferrous metals database to the smallest level. Core change: Units such as "mt" has been changed to "kg". The specific matters are hereby announced as follows: I. Reasons for Adjustment Due to the need for country-specific breakdown of imports and exports, the unit has been adjusted to the smallest value To better serve customers, SMM has expanded the important Lead-related import and export data to include all countries, which has made it impossible for the previously set units of "mt" to match the data from all countries. Therefore, SMM has changed the unit to the smallest value. II. Adjustment Content III. Effective Date of Adjustment This adjustment will take effect on August 5, 2025 SMM August 3, 2025
DataAug 3, 2025 22:22Dear Users: To ensure the consistency of data with the source and respond to customer feedback, we have expanded the unit of copper-related import and export data in the non-ferrous metals database to the smallest level. Core change: Units such as "10,000 mt" and "mt" have been changed to "kg". The specific matters are hereby announced as follows: I. Reasons for Adjustment Due to the need for country-specific breakdown of imports and exports, the unit has been adjusted to the smallest value To better serve customers, SMM has expanded the important copper-related import and export data to include all countries, which has made it impossible for the previously set units of "mt" and "10,000 mt" to match the data from all countries. Therefore, SMM has changed the unit to the smallest value. II. Adjustment Content III. Effective Date of Adjustment This adjustment will take effect on August 5, 2025 SMM August 1, 2025
DataAug 1, 2025 16:44Dear Users: Hello: To ensure data consistency with the source and respond to customer feedback, we have expanded the unit of zinc-related import and export data in the non-ferrous metals database to the smallest level. Core changes: Units such as "10,000 mt" and "mt" have been changed to "kg". The specific details are announced as follows: I. Reasons for Adjustment Due to the need for country-specific breakdown of imports and exports, the unit has been adjusted to the smallest value To better serve customers, SMM has expanded the import and export data related to the zinc industry chain to include all countries. This will result in the previously set units such as "mt" and "10,000 mt" being unable to match data from all countries. Therefore, SMM has changed the unit to the smallest value. II. Adjustment Details III. Effective Date of Adjustment This adjustment will take effect on August 8, 2025 SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) August 4, 2025
DataAug 4, 2025 11:34