South Africa: Iron Ore Exports Up 18% in Aug’18

South Africa – World’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil recorded exports at 5.63 MnT in Aug’18, according to the trade data released by South African Customs. The exports witnessed increase of 18% on monthly basis as against 4.77 MnT in July’18.

However, the Aug’18 exports on yearly basis, stood down 16% compared to Aug’17 exports at 6.69 MnT.

South African exports for the duration Jan-Aug’18 witnessed at 42.75 MnT, down 3% against same duration last year (Jan-Aug’17) at 43.91 MnT.

An agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports on monthly basis, recorded slight increase in Aug’18 to 3.3 MnT as against 3.22 MnT in July’18. However, on yearly basis, exports decreased by 24% Y-o-Y as against 4.36 MnT in Aug’17.

The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore monthly exports were up by 49% in Aug’18 to 2.33 MnT as against July’18 exports at 1.56 MnT. On yearly basis, exports stood stable as compared to Aug’17 exports.

India imported 0.41 MnT iron ore from South Africa

South African iron ore exports to India recorded at 0.41 MnT in Aug’18 against no exports reported a month before. Demand for imported South African lumps witnessed a sharp uptick from western India based mills that are keen to book vessels. However, tight availability of both Kumba and Assmang lump is a matter of concern.

China remains the largest iron ore importer from South Africa for the month of Aug’18, at 3.47 MnT, contributing 62% share of total South African iron ore export in Aug’18 (up 30% M-o-M).

Netherland and Germany iron ore imports from South Africa recorded significant increase for the month of Aug’18 at 0.35 MnT (up 46% M-o-M) and 0.26 MnT (up two folds on monthly basis) respectively.

Country wise South African Iron Ore Exports

Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data