Indian Pellet Exports Increase 8% Y-o-Y in FY’18

According to the customs data maintained with SteelMint, Indian pellet exports have registered a rise of 8% to 8.96 MnT in FY’18 against 8.26 MnT in FY’17.

Post the Samarco disaster, Chinese steel mills shifted to Indian pellet leading to increased exports from India. It is to be noted that the pellet production from Samarco was 12.05 MnT and 12.31 MnT in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Later in the financial year demand for imported Indian pellets spurred in China owing to government regulations to make use of high-grade ore to curb pollution.

Also, Indian pellet exports to Japan and South Korea increased in FY’18.

Higher pellet premium supported Indian pellet export offers. Indian pellet export reference price assessment increased by 21% to USD 97/MT, FoB India in FY’18 against USD 80/MT, FoB in FY’17.

Indian pellet exports have registered an increase of 28% M-o-M to 0.75 MnT in Mar’18 as against 0.58 MnT in Feb’18. However, on yearly basis pellet export has down by 8% against 0.75 MnT in Mar’17.

JSPL remains the largest Indian pellet exporter-:

JSPL stood the largest exporter for FY’18 with exports at 1.92 MnT, accounting for 21%share in total pellet exports from India. However, on yearly basis, its exports have come down by 17 %.

BRPL stood second highest in the list of exports at 1.70 MnT, followed by KIOCL at 1.59 MnT and Essar Steel 1.25MnT. KIOCL’s pellet exports moved up sharply by 73% in FY’18 against 0.92 MnT in FY’17.

Other exporters were Rashmi Metaliks, Bagadiya Brothers, Arya Iron & Steel, and Jindal SAW.

Paradeep port accounted for the largest share in FY’18 Indian pellet exports-:

Pellet exports from Paradeep port recorded highest in FY’18 at 4.63MnT against 4.39 MnT in FY’17 up by 6%, followed by Dhamra port at 1.99 MnT (down3%) and Mangalore port at 1.59 MnT (up 73%) and Haldia Port 0.44 MnT.

China accounted for 82% share in FY’18 Indian pellet Exports-:

China continues to be the largest importer of Indian pellet in FY’18 with imports of 7.35 MnT, up marginally as against 7.32 MnT in FY’17. South Korea stood the second largest importer at 0.44 MnT, followed by Japan at 0.40 MnT and Oman at 0.30 MnT.

South Korea significantly increased its iron pellet import from India in this FY’18 in multiple-folds to 0.44 MnT against 0.05 MnT in FY’17. Japan double its pellet import from India this fiscal year (FY’18) to 0.40 MnT against 0.18 MnT in FY’17.

Country-Wise Indian Pellet Export for FY’18

Qty in MT
Source:SteelMint Stats, Custom
Provisional Data