1. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in February, automobile production and sales reached 1.672 million and 1.805 million units respectively, representing month-on-month decreases of 31.7% and 23.1%, and year-on-year decreases of 20.5% and 15.2%. From January to February, automobile production and sales reached 4.122 million and 4.152 million units respectively, representing year-on-year decreases of 9.5% and 8.8%.
2. According to Mysteel, in March, Hebei Iron & Steel Group (HBIS) tendered 1,155 tons of 75B ferrosilicon, compared to 2,150 tons in the previous round, a decrease of 995 tons. Among these, Wuyang New Wide & Thick Steel tendered 200 tons (-500 tons), Handan Iron & Steel 205 tons (+5 tons), Tangshan Iron & Steel New Area 400 tons (-100 tons), Shijiazhuang Iron & Steel Special Steel 150 tons (-150 tons), and Zhangjiakou Xuanhua High-Tech 200 tons (-150 tons).
3. From January 20th to 26th, 2026, the Henan Bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration conducted an administrative inspection of Longtian Coal Mine in Huixian City and discovered significant safety hazards. The Henan Bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration ordered the mine to suspend production for rectification for two days.
4. Due to recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, several iron ore cargo ships originally destined for the Middle East have changed their routes and are heading to China instead. According to data from ship tracking agencies and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), there have been four such diversions.
5. According to foreign media reports, CIMB Securities analyst Ivy Ng Lee Fang pointed out that Malaysian palm oil stocks may decline by 8% month-on-month to 2.48 million tons in March, as export growth is expected to offset increased production. Current prices are already higher than the expected average of 4,000 ringgit per ton in 2026, and if the conflict in the Middle East continues, prices still have room to rise.
6. According to the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE), after research and deliberation, it has been decided that, effective from the settlement on March 16, 2026, the trading margin standard for apple futures contracts 2604 and 2605 will be adjusted to 15%, and the daily price fluctuation limit will be adjusted to 13%.
7. Data from the Southern Peninsula Palm Oil Crusher Association (SPPOMA) shows that from March 1-10, 2026, Malaysian palm oil yield per hectare increased by 4.29% compared to the same period last month, oil extraction rate decreased by 0.52% compared to the same period last month, and production increased by 1.55% compared to the same period last month.
8. Workers at Glencore's copper smelter in Australia have threatened to strike starting Friday due to a breakdown in wage negotiations. The Australian labor union claims that Glencore's wages are nearly 15% lower than those of its peers and is demanding higher pay.
9. According to foreign media reports, due to the conflict in the Middle East leading to a tightening of aluminum supply, the premium charged to Japanese buyers for aluminum has risen to its highest level in 11 years. According to sources familiar with the matter, Rio Tinto offered to supply the light metal in the second quarter at a premium of $350 per tonne, according to sources familiar with the matter.
