China will release new standards for steel scrap imports by the end of 2020, the National Standard Formation Committee said at a recycled raw materials conference in Shanghai.

Steel inventories at member mills of the China Iron & Steel Association (Cisa) and in the spot market both increased in early October, although mills cut crude and finished steel output, according to data released on Wednesday October 14.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States have increased to $32.50 per hundredweight ($650 per ton), and some sources think they could peak at $35 per cwt or more before the market cycles back down.

Corn futures in China have set new record highs as traders remain bullish amid the country’s slow harvest pace, depleted...

Customs officials in southern China have impounded just under 10,000 tonnes of copper ‘concentrates’ after it turned out to be smelting waste, which is prohibited from entering the country.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were weaker across the board this morning, Tuesday October 13, while those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were either unchanged or firmer, as were equities.

Soybean and corn export volumes test port capacity and force competition for finite logistics.

Hot-rolled coil prices in the United States have again moved higher, with some mills holding off from making offers, demand continuing to rise slowly and supply remaining restricted by mill idlings, outages and a slab shortage, Fastmarkets understands.

The latest forecasts from Fastmarkets’ team of analysts are ready to view.

Chinese power plants and steel mills have been asked by the authorities to stop importing thermal and coking coal from Australia, sources told Fastmarkets on Monday October 12.