In the week ended March 23, the operating rate for 29 China’s cold-rolled products manufacturers was 85.11%, keeping flat from the previous week. Steel mills' capacity utilization rate was 79.44%, slightly decreasing by 0.13% week on week. Meanwhile, the production amounted to about 804,000 tons, a week-on-week decrease of 0.2%.

Regarding demand, the automobile, household appliances, and hardware sectors consume most of China’s cold-rolled products.

In terms of outlook in April, China’s stimulated policies were expected to make the consumption from household appliances and hardware sectors perform well. Most household appliance manufacturers’ orders kept flat month on month and slightly increased by 10% year on year.