1. According to data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), in early August, social inventory of five major steel products in 21 cities totaled 9.86 million tons, an increase of 60,000 tons (0.6%) month-on-month, showing slight fluctuations; an increase of 2.65 million tons (36.8%) compared to the beginning of the year; and an increase of 1.83 million tons (22.8%) compared to the same period last year.
2. According to Mysteel, the latest survey data shows that as of August 12, a total of 192 coal mines in Shanxi Province had suspended production since May 22, with a total capacity of 260 million tons. Of these, 72 mines remain suspended, with a total capacity of 71.9 million tons. Analyzing the reasons for the shutdowns, 55 coking coal mines in Shanxi Province suspended production due to accidents, confirmed safety hazards, or suspected safety hazards, with a total capacity of 52.3 million tons.
3. According to August forecast data released by CONAB, the national commodity supply company under the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil's soybean production for the 2025/26 marketing year is projected to reach 180.4635 million tons, an increase of 8.983 million tons, or 5.2%, year-on-year; the soybean planting area for the 2025/26 marketing year is projected to reach 48.6103 million hectares, an increase of 1.2642 million hectares, or 2.7%, year-on-year.
4. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture: As of the week ending August 6, U.S. net soybean export sales for the 2025/2026 marketing year were 75,000 tons, compared to 32,000 tons the previous week; net sales for the 2026/2027 marketing year were 1.76 million tons, compared to 904,000 tons the previous week.
5. The Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) of India reported that India's palm oil imports in July reached 730,965 tons, an increase of approximately 50% compared to the previous month. Soybean oil imports rose 31% month-on-month to 498,881 tons, and sunflower oil imports increased by approximately 4% month-on-month to 251,639 tons. Total vegetable oil imports in India in July amounted to 1.53 million tons, an increase of 33% compared to the previous month.
6. According to Longzhong Information, as of August 13, 2026, the total inventory of float glass sample enterprises nationwide was 74.47 million weight boxes, a decrease of 428,000 weight boxes month-on-month, a decrease of 0.57%, and an increase of 17.41% year-on-year. The inventory days were 34.1 days, a decrease of 0.2 days compared to the previous period.
7. The Indonesian Nickel Miners Association stated on Thursday that the Indonesian government will selectively approve additional nickel ore production quotas only for smelters with low raw material inventories. The market is currently awaiting clear information regarding this year's quota adjustment plan. The association recommends that miners be allowed to produce an additional 30 million tons of nickel ore this year as a strategic buffer, bringing the total to approximately 300 million tons. This increase is to meet the demand from new smelting capacity expected to come online in 2026.
8. According to data from Fubao Information, as of August 13, weekly lithium carbonate production was 23,000 tons, a 0.88% increase week-on-week (an increase of 200 tons from the previous period); lithium carbonate inventory was 79,300 tons, a 2.61% decrease week-on-week (a decrease of 2,128 tons from the previous period).
9. Vale approved the Salobo copper mine coarse flotation project, expected to begin production in the first half of 2028, one year ahead of schedule. The project represents an investment of US$175 million and will increase annual copper production by approximately 30,000 tons after production begins, contributing to the company's target of 700,000 tons of copper production by 2035.
10. According to Longzhong Information, as of August 13, 2026: This week, the total inventory of domestic soda ash manufacturers was 1.8567 million tons, a decrease of 0.60 million tons from Monday, a drop of 0.32%. Among them, light soda ash was 1.0462 million tons, a decrease of 0.50 million tons week-on-week, and heavy soda ash was 810,500 tons, a decrease of 0.10 million tons week-on-week.
