South Africa: Iron Ore Exports Remain Stable in Feb’18

South Africa – world’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil, exported 5.25 MnT in Feb’18, according to trade data released by South African Customs.

South Africa Iron ore exports witnessed stablitily in Feb’18 as against 5.23 MnT in Jan’18. However, the Y-o-Y exports witnessed increase by 13% in Feb’18 as against 4.66 MnT in Feb’17.

For the duration Jan-Feb’18, South African exports recorded at 10.48 MnT, up marginally against 9.97 MnT same period last year (Jan-Feb’17). China stood the largest importer for the year CY’18 (Jan-Feb), at 6.02 MnT (stable on yearly premises), followed by South Korea at 0.9 MnT (down 14%) and India at 0.88 MnT (up 73% Y-o-Y).

In Feb’18, an agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports recorded increase of 10% M-o-M to 3.41 MnT, against 3.11 MnT in Jan’18. The Y-o-Y iron ore exports were up 9% in Feb’18 as against Feb’17 , recorded at 3.13 MnT

The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore exports were down 13% M-o-M to 1.84 MnT in Feb’18 against 2.12 MnT in Jan’18. However, the Y-o-Y exports witnessed increase of 20% in Feb’18 as compared to Feb’17 exports at 1.53 MnT.

South Africa Iron Ore Exports to China increased 32% in Feb’18

China continues to remain the largest iron ore importer from South Africa in the month of Feb’18 and imported 3.42 MnT, contributing 65% of total South African exports in Feb’18 (up 32% M-o-M), followed by South Korea at 0.47 MnT (up 9% M-o-M), and Netherland at 0.43 MnT (up by more than twice M-o-M).

Indian iron ore imports from South Africa witnessed at 0.22 MnT, down 67% M-o-M as against 0.66 MnT in Jan’18.

Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data