China’s Welded Pipe Exports See Strong Growth in 2025: Driven by Price Competitiveness and Belt and Road Demand

In 2025, China’s exports of welded pipes, including square and rectangular hollow sections, continued to exhibit strong momentum, solidifying an overall growth trajectory. This performance was primarily fueled by enhanced domestic price competitiveness in the global market and a rising international appetite for reliable, cost-effective steel products. The competitive pricing of Chinese pipes, particularly against a backdrop of moderated raw material costs and efficient large-scale production, made them an attractive option for infrastructure and construction projects worldwide.

Welded pipe exports, encompassing a wide range of products such as ERW carbon steel pipes, experienced a significant surge. Full-year export volume is projected to surpass 6 million metric tons, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 15%. Detailed data from the first three quarters revealed cumulative exports of 4.598 million metric tons, a substantial growth of 20.84% compared to the same period in the previous year. This pace of expansion notably exceeded the average annual growth rate of around 17% observed during the 2023-2024 period. The sharp increase is largely attributable to Chinese welded pipe prices remaining at historically competitive levels, significantly boosting their appeal in international markets. Furthermore, sustained and robust demand from nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative provided a steady stream of orders. Key export destinations reinforcing this trend included the Philippines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting a concentrated demand base across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, regions actively investing in urban and industrial development.

Within the welded pipe category, exports of galvanized steel pipes demonstrated particularly notable growth. As a critical finished product with enhanced corrosion resistance, their export performance closely mirrored the positive overall trend. Statistics from January to September indicated that galvanized pipes constituted a prominent share of total welded pipe exports. This export strength played a vital counter-cyclical role domestically. While full-year production of galvanized pipes within China was estimated to have declined by about 10.1%, largely due to continued softness in the domestic real estate sector, the vigorous export market effectively absorbed surplus capacity. Consequently, exports emerged as the pivotal factor sustaining production levels and mitigating the impact of lackluster internal demand, becoming an indispensable pillar for industry stability.

The export landscape for square and rectangular hollow sections, while often integrated within broader welded pipe trade data, followed a similar supportive pattern. Although comprehensive, isolated export figures or specific growth rates for these sections are not extensively detailed in public reports, their trade dynamics are intrinsically linked to the wider industry momentum. Analysts note that as a specialized segment within the welded pipe family, these structural sections benefited from the same macroeconomic and competitive drivers. Their estimated annual production decline was comparatively modest, at less than 10%, suggesting that export channels provided a crucial outlet. The demand for these sections is closely tied to construction frameworks and industrial manufacturing abroad. Meanwhile, another specific process variant, pre-galvanized pipes, also found its niche in international markets. These pipes, galvanized before being formed, offer distinct advantages for certain applications and contributed to the diversified export portfolio, catering to specialized project specifications and further broadening the market reach for Chinese pipe manufacturers.

In summary, the robust export performance in 2025 served as the primary engine for China’s welded pipe industry. It successfully counterbalanced domestic headwinds, showcasing the sector’s adaptability and global competitiveness. The demand was spearheaded by large-volume standard products like ERW carbon steel pipes and finished galvanized steel pipes, while specialized products including square and rectangular hollow sections and pre-galvanized pipes added depth and resilience to the export mix. This trend underscores a strategic shift where international markets are increasingly vital for absorbing China’s industrial output, especially in segments facing cyclical domestic softness. The future outlook remains cautiously optimistic, contingent on maintaining price advantages and navigating evolving international trade dynamics.