South Africa – World’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil recorded exports at 63.51 MnT in CY18. The exports dropped 4% against 66.47 MnT in CY17.
South Africa iron ore exports down marginally in Dec’18
South Afrcian iron ore exports in Dec’18 recorded at 5.49 MnT, down 4% as against 5.72 MnT in Nov’18. On yearly basis, the exports dropped 7% in Dec’18 as against Dec’17 at 5.91 MnT. Towards the beginning of Dec’18, South African miner Kumba and Assmang had declared force majeure to some of its buyers due to Transnet (Transport Company) closing the iron ore export channel railway as a result of structural damage to railway line owing to truck collision.
An agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports dropped 4% to 39.62 MnT in CY18 as against 41.29 MnT in CY17. On monthly basis, exports increased 5% to 3.79 in Dec’18 as against 3.61 MnT in Nov’18.
The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore exports were down by 5% in CY’18 to 23.89 MnT as against CY17 exports at 25.17 MnT. On monthly basis, exports witnessed 19% decline to 1.7 MnT in Dec’18 as compared to Nov’18 exports at 2.11 MnT.
Chinese imports from South Africa dropped 9% in CY18
China continues to be the largest iron ore importer from South Africa in CY18 at 38.32 MnT, contributing 60% of South African iron ore export in CY18. The exports dropped 9% as against 42.33 MnT in CY17 followed by South Korea at 4.23 MnT (down 9% Y-o-Y) and Japan at 4.14 MnT
Indian imports of South African ore dropped 4% to 3.39 MnT in CY18 as against 3.52 MnT in CY17.
Country wise South African Iron Ore Exports
| Country | CY18 | CY17 | Y-o-Y (%) | Dec-18 | Nov-18 | M-o-M (%) |
| China | 38.32 | 42.33 | -9% | 3.6 | 3.24 | 11% |
| South Korea | 4.23 | 4.67 | -9% | 0.4 | 0.39 | 3% |
| Japan | 4.14 | 3.16 | 31% | 0.25 | 0.5 | -50% |
| India | 3.39 | 3.52 | -4% | 0.06 | 0.28 | -79% |
| Netherland | 3.13 | 3.51 | -11% | 0.06 | 0.18 | -67% |
| Mozambique | 2.05 | 0.77 | 166% | 0.49 | 0.42 | 17% |
| Germany | 1.85 | 1.32 | 40% | 0.13 | 0.26 | -50% |
| Italy | 1.29 | 1.02 | 26% | 0.17 | 0 | 100% |
| Others | 5.1 | 6.16 | -17% | 0.34 | 0.45 | -24% |
| Grand Total | 63.51 | 66.47 | -4% | 5.49 | 5.72 | -4% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data
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