In summary, in H2 2026, China's prebaked anode export market will present the operating characteristics of "volume increase with stable prices, continued regional divergence, and overall mild growth."
Aug 21, 2026 18:32According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs and compiled by SMM, China's silicon-manganese alloy exports reached 8,370.87 tons in July 2026, surging 132.05% month-on-month (MoM) and 252.24% year-on-year (YoY). For the first seven months of 2026, cumulative exports totaled 33,227.15 tons, up 102.05% YoY.The monthly figure appears impressive at first glance, but a rational assessment is warranted.
Aug 21, 2026 18:06[Flat products]Today HRC and other flat-product export prices were mostly steady day on day, with some prices up by 1 USD/tonne and HRC transactions concentrated in the 486-489 USD/tonne range. Market enquiries were reasonable today and some traders take an optimistic view of the outlook, keeping offers relatively firm, though actual deals were limited. [Billet]Today billet export FOB prices edged up by 2 USD/tonne, with Jiangyin port offers at 450-455 USD/tonne. According to market feedback, the futures market pushed basis-priced offers slightly higher today; prices are currently inverted, exporters show little willingness to sell at low levels, and the market has largely stayed on the sidelines, leaving deals unremarkable. [Rebar]Today rebar export offers at Tianjin port edged up by 2 USD/tonne, with overall transactions at 474-479 USD/tonne. According to exporters, the rally on the futures board lifted spot offers in step, but overseas end-users are largely on the sidelines with limited willingness to accept higher prices, leaving overall deals weak.
Aug 21, 2026 17:30[Steel Billet] Today, FOB export prices for steel billet edged up by $2/mt, with Jiangyin Port quoting $450–455/mt. According to market feedback, futures-driven spot-futures price spreads edged up today. Prices are currently inverted, exporters have low willingness to sell at low prices, the market mostly maintained a wait-and-see sentiment, and transaction performance was average.
Aug 21, 2026 16:26[Weekly Review and Outlook of China Export Prices] This week, ferrous metals drifted higher overall, with slight differences among products. Coking coal and coke performed the strongest, while iron ore and finished steel saw relatively limited gains. During the week, safety supervision remained stringent, the pace of coal mine production resumptions fell short of expectations, and the structural shortage of framework coal varieties further deepened, driving coking coal futures to keep rising. Coke plants suffered heavy losses, with production enthusiasm dampened and the scope of production cuts expanding continuously, leading to simultaneous strength in both coke futures and spot prices. Rising cost support drove finished steel futures to drift higher. On the iron ore side, the ongoing Port Hedland strike boosted market sentiment to some extent, but inventory at high levels at the ports capped upside room, showing an overall consolidation pattern. Data-wise, as spot cargo remained weak and the tendency to follow the uptrend was not strong, the US dollar-denominated HRC spot price rose $5/mt MoM, sheets & plates export prices increased $2-3/mt, and long product prices rose $2-3/mt MoM, narrowing export margins. Going forward, the supply-demand imbalance in coke is expected to ease further, with expectations of a new round of increases. Iron ore fundamentals lack sufficient support and are likely to consolidate on a subdued note, while cost support remains. For finished steel, as September approaches, the market is gradually transitioning from off-season to peak season, with end-use demand possibly seeing marginal improvement. Overall, steel prices are expected to gradually stabilize amid rising costs next week. For foreign trade prices, short-term consolidation is expected, and attention should be paid to the acceptance of buyers outside China.
Aug 21, 2026 16:25[Sheets & Plates] Today, HRC and other sheets & plates export prices were mainly stable day-on-day, with some prices rising by $1/mt. HRC transaction prices were concentrated in the range of $486‑489/mt. Market inquiries were moderate today, and some traders were optimistic about the outlook, leading to relatively firm quotes, but actual transactions were limited.
Aug 21, 2026 16:07To better serve industrial clients and stay closer to the market, SMM is adding 6 new scrap copper price assessments for Japan/US regions, officially launching on 16/1/2026. 1. New Price Points Copper Scrap - East Asia - Japan Millberry CIF China - Japan Millberry CIF China Taiwan - Japan Millberry CIF Korea Copper Scrap - America - United States Millberry CIF Japan - United States No.1 Copper Material CIF Japan - United States No.2 Copper Material CIF Japan 2. SMM Price Methodology General Principles Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as "SMM") is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any actual transactions. Instead, SMM maintains close communication with buyers and sellers as a market observer or organizer and provides related services to the market. This document sets forth the standards for SMM's East Asia and US scrap copper price assessments. The purpose of establishing these standards is to create a transparent and verifiable SMM price formation mechanism. 3. Formation of SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessments 3.1 Significance of the Assessments In recent years, Japan and the United States have continued to play important roles in the global scrap copper trading system. Their export prices for berry copper and copper scrap hold strong reference value for major Asian consumer markets. Due to differences in origin quality structure, trade flows, and regional demand, actual transaction prices vary across different destinations. To more accurately reflect the true price levels of Japanese and US scrap copper in cross-regional circulation, reduce information asymmetry risks, and help upstream and downstream enterprises more reasonably evaluate procurement costs and formulate trading strategies, SMM plans to add price points including Japan Berry Copper CIF China, Japan Berry Copper CIF South Korea, Japan Berry Copper CIF Taiwan China, US Berry Copper CIF Japan, US No.1 Copper CIF Japan, and US No.2 Copper CIF Japan. These will be collected according to a unified methodology and publicly released to the market for industry reference. SMM price members will be able to access relevant historical price data simultaneously. 3.2 SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessment Methodology 3.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Currently, scrap copper reference standards follow ISRI standards. If changes occur, SMM will revise accordingly based on actual circumstances. 3.2.2 Price Terms Prices are CIF indicative prices, expressed as a coefficient (%) unit. 3.2.3 Payment Terms Prices reflect payment conditions including TT or other conventional payment methods. 3.2.4 Quote Format and Timing Quoted prices are in range format, showing minimum and maximum prices. For example: Japan Millberry CIF China: 97.5%-98%. New price points will be assessed weekly. SMM will publish prices on the website front page at 3:30 PM on the last day of each working week. 3.2.5 Data Collection Method According to the data collection confirmation agreement, SMM price analysts will regularly collect price information from scrap copper industry contacts in Japan through telephone, WeChat, email, and other methods. This price information includes completed transaction prices and the most likely anticipated transaction prices expected by the enterprise. All instant messaging content and any face-to-face communication records will be archived telephone communication details will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting to their supervisors any coerced or threatened communications from market participants, or any inducements attempting to influence assessments. After price publication, SMM will not make corrections or adjustments on that day. 3.2.6 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, market transactions exist in various forms. Each transaction price is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, material brand, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market quotes, bids, and transaction information and align them with our standards. We welcome more relevant enterprises along the industry chain to participate in and support SMM in better serving scrap copper industry-related enterprises. For any questions, please contact us. Shanghai Metal Market Copper Department - Aw Yong Yi Cheong Contact: +6011-25798397 Email add: awyong.yicheong@smm.cn
PriceJan 12, 2026 15:35