In the early days of October, the total social inventory of five major categories of steel in 21 major cities across China reached 7.63 million tons, an increase of 150,000 tons from the previous period, with a growth rate of 2.0%. Notably, this is the first increase after a consecutive decline in inventory for eight periods. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory has increased by 340,000 tons, with a growth rate of 4.7%; while compared to the same period last year, it has decreased by 1.61 million tons, with a decrease of 17.4%.
II. Changes in Steel Inventory by Region
Looking at the regional distribution, in the early days of October, the steel inventory in seven major regions of China showed different trends of increase and decrease. The inventory increase in the East region was the most significant, adding 220,000 tons, with a growth rate of 11.5%, making it the region with the largest increase in both quantity and rate. The Central region followed, with an increase of 100,000 tons, a growth rate of 10.9%. The North region saw an increase of 30,000 tons, with a growth rate of 4.5%. The Southwest and South regions increased by 10,000 tons and decreased by 140,000 tons, respectively, with growth and decrease rates of 1.0% and 6.8%, respectively, among which the South region became the region with the largest decrease. The Northeast region saw a decrease of 60,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 14.0%, the largest decrease rate. The Northwest region decreased by 10,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 2.1%.
III. Overview of Inventory by Steel Variety
Among the five major varieties of steel, the social inventory in the early days of October also showed different trends of change. Long products saw a more significant increase in inventory, while plate products generally showed a decreasing trend.
Hot-Rolled Coil: In the early days of October, the inventory of hot-rolled coil was 2.14 million tons, a decrease of 90,000 tons from the previous period, with a decrease rate of 4.0%, which narrowed. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory increased by 700,000 tons, with a growth rate of 48.6%; compared to the same period last year, it increased by 60,000 tons, with a growth rate of 2.9%.
Cold-Rolled Coil: In the early days of October, the inventory of cold-rolled coil was 1.13 million tons, an increase of 10,000 tons from the previous period, with a growth rate of 0.9%, marking a shift from decrease to a slight increase. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory increased by 100,000 tons, with a growth rate of 9.7%; compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 80,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 6.6%.
Medium and Heavy Plate: In the early days of October, the inventory of medium and heavy plate was 1.03 million tons, a decrease of 10,000 tons from the previous period, with a decrease rate of 1.0%, which narrowed. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory increased by 90,000 tons, with a growth rate of 9.6%; compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 150,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 12.7%.
Wire Rod: In the early days of October, the inventory of wire rod was 720,000 tons, an increase of 70,000 tons from the previous period, with a growth rate of 10.8%, a significant rebound. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory decreased by 110,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 13.3%; compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 170,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 19.1%.
Rebar: In the early days of October, the inventory of rebar was 2.61 million tons, an increase of 170,000 tons from the previous period, with a growth rate of 7.0%, marking the first increase after a consecutive decline for eight periods. Compared to the beginning of the year, the inventory decreased by 440,000 tons, with a decrease rate of 14.4%; compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 1.27 million tons, with a decrease rate of 32.7%.
Customer service 1 
Customer service 2