Chinese steel exports are expanding rapidly worldwide, with Saudi Arabia emerging as one of the fastest-growing destinations in 2025.
According to Chinese customs data and Bloomberg analysis, the Kingdom’s steel imports from China surged 41% in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2024, the largest increase among major global markets.
China’s total steel exports reached 97.76 million tons in the first ten months of 2025, surpassing last year’s full-year total and positioning the country for a new annual record.
While shipments to Vietnam and South Korea declined amid tighter import restrictions, demand from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Middle Eastern markets, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has strengthened considerably.
The surge reflects how Chinese producers are compensating for weaker domestic demand by expanding into infrastructure-led economies.
Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative has played a key role, with cumulative Chinese investments of around $86 billion in Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the past decade, mainly targeting energy, transportation, and construction sectors that rely heavily on steel.
Exports of construction-related steel products to Saudi Arabia have nearly doubled, while shipments of semi-finished steel have grown more than sixfold from last year, even as major projects such as NEOM slow in pace.
Industry analysts view this as evidence of robust long-term demand driven by the Kingdom’s ongoing urban development and diversification efforts.
China’s shift toward Middle Eastern and African markets underscores a strategic adaptation to global trade protectionism.
Experts caution that geopolitical uncertainties and shifting tariff policies could affect future growth, making diversification and regional partnerships essential to sustaining China’s steel export momentum.
IMEX SECTOR | Brazil’s Beef Exports to China Surge Amid U.S. Trade Tensions
