SunSirs: The Market for Color Coated Steel Sheets Was Stable but Slightly Weaker in 2025, and May Continue to Be Weaker in 2026

Analysis of the price trends for color coated steel sheets in 2025

According to SunSirs' commodity market analysis system, the overall price of color coated steel sheets was on a downward trend in 2025, with a slight rebound from July to August, followed by a continuous decline after September. On January 1st, the market price of color coated steel sheets was 6,850 RMB/ton; on December 31st, the price was 6,350 RMB/ton, representing a 7.299% decrease in the average price compared to the beginning of the year.

Analysis and Commentary

Galvanized steel sheet: The price of galvanized steel sheets experienced a slight decline in 2025, with a rebound in the middle of the year. On January 1st, the price of galvanized steel sheets was 4,382 RMB/ton, and on December 31st, the price was 4,080 RMB/ton, representing a 6.846% decrease compared to the beginning of the year.

From January to November 2025, China's total imports of coated steel sheets (strips) amounted to 831,800 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 18.7%. Imports of galvanized steel sheets and coils primarily serve high-end domestic demand that cannot be met by domestic production or where domestic production costs are too high. However, with the current contraction in overall domestic demand for galvanized steel sheets and coils, and with domestic galvanized products meeting quality, cost, and supply requirements, import volumes were naturally being squeezed. In the short term, if domestic real estate and manufacturing demand do not recover significantly, import volumes are likely to remain at low levels.

It is noteworthy that while export volume increased, the average export price continued to decline. From January to November 2025, China's total exports of coated steel sheets and strips reached US$125.78 billion, but the average export price in November reached its lowest level in recent years at US$629.49 per ton, a year-on-year decrease of 80% compared to the average export price of US$1137.6 per ton at the beginning of 2023. The decline in export unit price is a concentrated manifestation of the current pressure on China's galvanized steel sheet and coil industry, which is trapped in a path dependency of "scale expansion." To break this situation, the key lies in shifting from "price competition" to "value competition," which requires systemic breakthroughs in technology, branding, and green transformation.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the total export volume of color coated steel sheets and strips from January to November 2025 reached 8.6397 million tons, with an average export price of US$664.29 per ton. The top twenty exporting countries accounted for a total of 5.391 million tons, representing 62.39% of the total. Among the top twenty countries, Russia ranked first in terms of average export price per ton at US$793.31 per ton. The top five countries were: Russia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Nigeria.

In 2025, overall consumption of color coated steel sheets and coils showed a downward trend. Based on production data for the first eleven months, production decreased by approximately 2.3% compared to 2024, and by approximately 10.7% compared to 2023. This indicates a gradual decline in production over the past three years. However, export data shows a better performance, with a year-on-year increase of approximately 22.2% in 2024 and approximately 23.7% in the first ten months of 2025. Furthermore, the total export volume in the first ten months of this year has already exceeded the total for the entire year of 2024. The increase in exports coupled with the decrease in production suggests a decline in domestic demand.

Market Outlook

Specifically, the coated steel sheet market in 2025 was stable but slightly weaker. Temporary increases in futures prices drove up spot prices and led to a brief improvement in sales, but this was not sustainable, and the market would quickly return to a sluggish state. Looking ahead, although national galvanized steel sheet and coil inventories are showing a slow downward trend, they remain higher than the same period in previous years, and some major markets still have room for further inventory increases. Therefore, the short-term pressure on galvanized steel sheets and coils is significant, and prices still have room for correction. It is expected that domestic galvanized and coated steel sheet and coil prices will continue to fluctuate and trend slightly weaker next year.

If you have any inquiries or purchasing needs, please feel free to contact SunSirs with support@sunsirs.com.