The national aggregates market demonstrated regional divergence in the fourth quarter of 2025, with prices stabilizing in most areas while experiencing fluctuations in specific regions. Key trends from October to December are summarized below:
October 2025: "Silver October" Drives Modest Price Rebound
• Overall Trend: Supported by year-end construction activity, prices saw a slight recovery. Northwest and Southwest regions reported increases, while East China’s Shanghai rebounded after previous declines.
• Key Changes:
• Shanghai: Manufactured sand, natural sand, and gravel prices rose by 1 yuan/ton.
• Chongqing (West): Gravel (5–10mm) increased by 3 yuan/ton; mechanism sand rose by 1 yuan/ton.
• Gansu (Wuwei): Gravel (5–31.5mm) rose by 2 yuan/ton.
• Sichuan (Beichuan): Gravel prices increased by 6 yuan/ton.
November 2025: Stability with Regional Volatility
• Overall Trend: Prices remained largely stable nationwide, but Northwest and Southwest China saw mixed movements.
• Key Changes:
• Shanghai: Continued upward trend, with natural sand reaching 112 yuan/ton and manufactured sand at 90 yuan/ton.
• Chongqing: Manufactured sand in West Chongqing rose by 2 yuan/ton, while gravel (10–25mm) increased by 3 yuan/ton. East Chongqing saw gravel prices drop by up to 9 yuan/ton.
• Hunan: Prices increased by 2 yuan/ton in Yueyang, Xiangyin, and other areas.
December 2025: Year-End Stability Amid Northwest Fluctuations
• Overall Trend: Prices stabilized nationally, but volatility persisted in the Northwest. Fujian’s coastal manufactured sand declined slightly.
• Key Changes:
• Gansu (Tianshui): Manufactured sand dropped by 7 yuan/ton, while gravel rose by 1 yuan/ton.
• Chongqing (West): Manufactured sand increased by 1 yuan/ton, but gravel (5–10mm) fell by 5 yuan/ton.
• Fujian Coastal: Manufactured sand declined by 2 yuan/ton.
Outlook for January 2026
The China Aggregates Association anticipates subdued demand in January 2026 due to the Lunar New Year holiday, coupled with production halts and transportation constraints from low water levels in the Yangtze River. Price fluctuations are expected to intensify amid weaker market activity.