Major Iron Ore Suppliers to China in 2015

In 2015, China records all time high iron ore imports. According to China’s customs data, the country imported 953 MnT iron ore.

Australia shipped 607.4 MnT of iron ore to China in 2015, a gain of 10.8% on the prior year followed by Brazil and South Africa. Brazil total exports recorded at 191.6 MnT, up by 12.1% as compared to 2014. South Africa supplied 45.4 MnT iron ore, up by 4% as compared to 2014.

Imports turned out to be highest even after China’s industrialization had run short of demand. The big miners of Australia and Brazil had been continuously flowing low cost iron ore into China, removing small competitors from the seaborne iron ore market.

It is believed that Australia and Brazil will grab up more share of imports to China in 2016, as their upcoming new low cost projects will take up the charge. There is also possibility that China iron ore imports in 2016 may decline. As in 2015, China’s steel output recorded at all time low at 803 MnT, but, looking towards current steel demand scenario in China, Chinese government took a measure to cut steel production by 100-150 MnT pa. Then, if the production will be less, it is still likely that iron ore imports requirement will decline.

Major iron ore exporting countries to China 

Qty in MnT
Source: China customs