1. According to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), in early July 2026, the steel inventory of key steel enterprises was 16.77 million tons, an increase of 490,000 tons (3.0%) compared to the previous ten-day period; an increase of 2.63 million tons (18.6%) compared to the beginning of the year; and a decrease of 100,000 tons (0.6%) compared to the same ten-day period of the previous month.
2. According to SMM, Typhoon Bavi had limited impact on the production of high-nickel pig iron and stainless steel plants in China, with only a few factories in certain areas temporarily shutting down for 1-3 days, and did not impact the overall supply and demand pattern.
3. According to Mysteel, as of the week ending July 16, rebar production declined for the second consecutive week, mill inventories turned from increasing to decreasing, social inventories ended three consecutive weeks of increases and turned to decrease, and apparent demand turned from decreasing to increasing. Rebar production was 1.9684 million tons, a decrease of 83,200 tons (4.05%) compared to the previous week; apparent demand for rebar was 2.0444 million tons, an increase of 94,700 tons (4.86%) compared to the previous week. 4. Data from the Southern Peninsula Palm Oil Pressors Association (SPPOMA) shows that from July 1st to 15th, 2026, Malaysian palm oil yield per hectare increased by 3.34% compared to the same period last month, oil extraction rate increased by 0.06%, and production increased by 3.66% compared to the same period last month.
5. The U.S. Climate Prediction Center released a new report: El Niño has strengthened in the past month and is expected to continue into 2026 and into early 2027. The probability of El Niño occurring between October and December 2026 is as high as 81%. Based on temperature forecasts for August to October 2026, temperatures in most of the contiguous United States and Alaska will be above normal.
6. Data released by the Canadian Grain Council shows that for the week ending July 12th, Canadian canola exports increased by 481.14% to 305,100 tons, compared to 52,500 tons the previous week.
7. According to Longzhong Information, as of July 16, 2026: This week, the total inventory of soda ash manufacturers in China was 1.7544 million tons, an increase of 0.43 million tons from Monday, a rise of 0.25%. Among them, light soda ash was 1.0244 million tons, an increase of 0.13 million tons week-on-week, and heavy soda ash was 0.73 million tons, an increase of 0.30 million tons week-on-week.
8. According to feedback from an Indian refinery, to ensure domestic sulfur supply, relevant Indian government departments have issued a notice requiring priority to be given to domestic supply and prohibiting sulfur exports.
9. According to the Shanghai Securities News, sources close to CATL stated that all pre-requisite procedures for resuming production have been completed, including obtaining environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval from the government in accordance with laws and regulations. However, the EIA report was not publicized according to legal procedures, and the progress of the EIA was delayed for six months after the initial public announcement, resulting in significant legal flaws in the resumption of production at the Jianxiawo lithium mine. Before the environmental impact assessment approval was publicly announced, whether the Jianxiawo lithium mine had officially resumed production remained an open question.
10. According to data from Fubao Information's survey: As of July 16, weekly lithium carbonate production was 24,000 tons, a decrease of 3.6% week-on-week (900 tons less than the previous period); lithium carbonate inventory was 91,400 tons, a decrease of 1.9% week-on-week (1,692 tons less than the previous period).
