China's factory prices show rising costs for steel, energy, and battery materials

The price of key industrial goods in China rose for 26 out of 50 monitored products in early May. Steel, energy, and battery materials saw the biggest increases, while some chemicals and agricultural products fell.

China's National Bureau of Statistics tracks the wholesale prices of 50 essential industrial goods every ten days. These prices reflect the costs for manufacturers and construction companies. Rising prices for steel, coal, and natural gas mean higher input costs for factories, which can lead to higher prices for finished goods later.