1. According to Mysteel, as of the week ending April 9th, rebar production increased for the second consecutive week, while mill and social inventories declined for the fourth consecutive week, and apparent demand increased for the seventh consecutive week. Rebar production reached 2.1559 million tons, an increase of 84,900 tons from the previous week, representing a 4.1% increase; mill inventory was 2.0754 million tons, a decrease of 11,100 tons from the previous week, a 0.53% decrease; social inventory was 6.1966 million tons, a decrease of 124,400 tons from the previous week, a 1.97% decrease; and apparent demand was 2.2914 million tons, an increase of 8,800 tons from the previous week, a 0.39% increase.
2. In April, Hebei Iron & Steel's tender for 75B ferrosilicon was 1,333 tons, compared to 1,155 tons in the previous round, an increase of 178 tons. Among them, Wuyang New Wide & Thick Steel 200 (0) tons, Handan Steel 200 (-5) tons, Tangshan Steel New Area 200 (-200) tons, Chengde Steel 133 (+133) tons, Shijiazhuang Steel Special Steel 100 (-50) tons, and Zhangjiakou Xuanhua High-Tech 500 (+300) tons.
3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released its April supply and demand report, and the forecast for China's soybean supply and demand situation this month remains consistent with the previous month.
4. According to the shipping schedule of Brazilian ports, soybean exports in March reached 15.86 million tons, showing a strong pace of shipments in the current period. A survey by Safras & Mercado indicates that April exports are expected to be even higher, reaching 16.656 million tons, a significant increase from 13.476 million tons in the same period last year. Shipments in May 2026 are expected to be more moderate, at 14.07 million tons.
5. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the global soybean supply for 2025/26 includes higher beginning stocks and production. Beginning stocks were revised upward by 1 million tons, primarily due to revisions to Brazil's 2024/25 crop. Following a review of 2025 consumption data, Brazil's 2024/25 soybean production was revised upward by 1 million tons to 172.5 million tons. The 2025/26 soybean production forecast was revised upward by 200,000 tons due to increased crops in Paraguay and South Africa, partially offset by decreased crops in Uruguay.
6. USDA data shows that the April forecast for U.S. soybean production for 2025/2026 is 4.262 billion bushels, unchanged from the March forecast. The April forecast for U.S. soybean ending stocks for 2025/2026 is 350 million bushels, compared to market expectations of 349 million bushels and the March forecast of 350 million bushels. 7. The US soybean yield forecast for 2025/2026 is 53 bushels per acre in April, unchanged from the March forecast.
8. Data from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) shows that Singapore's fuel oil inventories fell by 1.743 million barrels to a 10-week low of 21.722 million barrels in the week ending April 8.
9. The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) will more than double the margin requirements for near-term Brent crude oil futures contracts, raising them to slightly above $11,000; while the margin requirements for near-term ICE diesel futures contracts will more than quadruple, rising to nearly $21,000. The margin increases will take effect after the close of trading on Friday, April 10.
10. Yahua Group responded to investors on its interactive platform, stating that the company has actively and effectively communicated with relevant departments of the Zimbabwean government, striving to resume lithium concentrate exports as soon as possible. The company's current lithium concentrate inventory is sufficient to meet domestic production needs. 10. According to NBD.com, the Zimbabwean government recently clarified a package of preconditions for lifting the lithium export ban in the form of a letter from the Minister of Mines. On April 9, executives from several Chinese-funded lithium companies in Zimbabwe stated that the specific quota plan has not yet been officially issued and is still in the negotiation stage. However, the negotiations with leading companies will progress quickly. The preconditions favored by the local government are: the companies must have sufficiently large mine reserves, mining licenses, and beneficiation plants, while traders and small mines are excluded.
