China Steel Rebar Prices Slip on Muted Demand and Property Sector Drag

Property Sector Pessimism

Despite various stimulus signals, new housing starts in China remain significantly below 2024 levels. This has left the steel market oversupplied, forcing mills to implement deeper production cuts to maintain the 3,000 Yuan psychological floor.

Export License Impacts

The new 2026 export licensing regime has begun to curb outbound volumes, leading to a minor build-up of local inventory. Traders are waiting for the National People's Congress in March for signs of concrete infrastructure spending.