Price trend

According to the SunSirs’ commodity market analysis system, color coated sheet prices saw a slight increase this month. On July 1, the market price was 6,533 RMB/ton; on July 31, it was 6,664 RMB/ton. This month's average price of color coated sheet increased by 2.005% compared to the beginning of the month and by 5.77% compared to the same period last year.

Analysis review

Galvanized sheet prices saw a slight increase this month, with prices rising gradually. On July 1, the price was 4,070 RMB/ton, while on July 31, it was 4,320 RMB/ton, a 6.14% increase from the beginning of the month and a 4.67% decrease from the same period last year. Downstream demand in the coating and plating market remained tepid, resulting in weak market transactions.

Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that in May 2025, China's total exports of coated plates and strips totaled 1.7499 million tons, a month-on-month decrease of 4.79% and a year-on-year increase of 10.51%. From January to May 2025, China's total exports of coated plates and strips totaled 8.6194 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 12.64%. In May 2025, China's total imports of coated plates and strips totaled 67,400 tons, a month-on-month decrease of 5.65% and a year-on-year decrease of 41.02%. From January to April 2025, China's total imports of coated plates and strips totaled 375,400 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 24.20%.

Judging from the weekly capacity utilization and weekly output of galvanized sheet and coil manufacturers nationwide, both capacity utilization and weekly output remained at medium-to-low levels over the past three years in 2025. Overall output by galvanized sheet and coil manufacturers in the first half of 2025 remained largely unchanged, excluding the Spring Festival period. Specifically, as of July 25th, Mysteel data showed that among 130 galvanizing companies, 56 production lines were shut down for maintenance, resulting in an overall operating rate of 80.95%. Capacity utilization was 63.14%, up 0.98% from the previous week, and weekly output was 900,600 tons, an increase of 14,100 tons from the previous week. As of July 31, according to the author's research, galvanized sheet and coil production remained profitable, and no additional production cuts or maintenance were planned in August. Overall, August galvanized sheet and coil production is expected to remain similar to July's month-on-month, with an average weekly output of approximately 880,000 to 900,000 tons.

Future outlook:

On the supply side, galvanized sheet and coil manufacturers averaged 893,500 tons per week in July, a year-on-year increase of 7,200 tons and slightly higher than the same period last year. Inventory levels were temporarily at a two-year low, and overall market pressure was low. According to the author’s research, market sentiment was temporarily cautious, with traders primarily focusing on clearing inventory. Regarding costs, the settlement price of galvanized sheet and coil at major steel mills in Shanghai in July was around 4,070 RMB/ton. Overall, driven by weak market demand, positive macroeconomic news, and futures market conditions, It’s expected galvanized sheet and coil prices will adjust within a narrow range for the remainder of the year.

Regarding raw materials, prices had risen strongly this month, further strengthening cost support. Looking at total inventory, both social and factory inventory of color coated sheet increased this month, while improvements on the consumer side were limited, leading to increased inventory pressure. Overall, while cost support for color coated sheet was temporarily strengthening, significant improvements on the consumer side were unlikely. Furthermore, with supply remaining high, color coated sheet and coil prices are expected to continue to rise next month, but the rise may narrow.

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