According to statistics from the World Stainless Association, global stainless steel melt shop production reached 17.24 million tons in the second quarter of 2026, registering a 7.6% year-on-year increase.

In the second quarter, China's stainless crude steel output totaled 11.22 million tons, up by 9.7% year-on-year. Asia produced 14.87 million tons, an increase of 8.7%; the US produced 0.58 million tons, up 4.1%; and Europe produced 1.499 million tons, up 0.5%, all compared to the same period a yar ago. Output from other regions was 0.292 million tons, down by 1% year on year.

In the first half of 2026, global stainless steel production reached 32.964 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 5%. Of this, China's production was 21.068 million tons, up 7.1% year-on-year.