Compared with last year’s third quarter, when China produced 20.91 million tonnes, the latest Q3 total stands 8.86 per cent higher.
The monthly trail reveals how the turnaround took shape. January opened at 7.3 million tonnes, but February sank to 6.7 million tonnes — roughly a 7.7 per cent fall — before production bounced back to 7.325 million tonnes in March, up 8.6 per cent. April dipped again to 6.8 million tonnes, though May and June clawed back the loss with 7 million and 7.12 million tonnes respectively. Things steadied more in the third quarter: July registered 7.5 million tonnes, August edged higher to 7.6 million tonnes, and September eased slightly to 7.5 million tonnes. In short, a shaky opening, a methodical mid-year rise and then a fairly level line heading into autumn.
