South African Iron Ore Export Down by 15% in Sept’16

South Africa, the 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil has exported around 4.67 MnT iron ore in Sept’16, according to the trade data released by South African Customs.

Iron ore exports have witnessed a downfall of 15 % M-o-M as it was 5.50 MnT in Aug’16. On the contrary, South African iron ore export has significantly increased by 3% on Y-o-Y basis.

In the first nine months of 2016, the country exported 46.75 MnT iron ore, down by 6% as it was 49.79 MnT in the same consecutive period last year.

In Sept’16, the agglomerated iron ore (pellets and concentrate) exports were at 2.70 MnT, down by 14% as it was 3.13 MnT in Aug’16. On similar lines, non-agglomerated iron ore (lumps & fines) exports were registered at 1.96 MnT in Sept’16, down by 17% as it was 2.37 MnT in Aug’16.

1. China, the largest iron ore consumer imports around 60% of South African iron ore exports. In Sept’16, Chinese iron ore imports from South Africa have witnessed a downfall of 3% M-o-M which was 2.83 MnT in Sept’16 and 2.91 MnT in Aug’16. The nation imported around 3.47 MnT iron ore from South Africa in Sept’15. 
2. Hong Kong, turned out to be second-largest iron ore importer of South African iron ore and imported around 0.50 MnT in Sept’16 against 0.26 MnT in Aug’16. The nation imported 0.16 MnT iron ore in Sept’15. 
3. India remained the third-largest iron ore importer and imported around 0.26 MnT iron ore in Sept’16 as compared to 0.67 MnT in Aug’16. The nation’s imports remained nil in Sept’15. 
4. Japan, the fourth-largest iron ore importer has imported around 0.23 MnT iron ore in Sept’16, significantly up by 21% as compared to Aug’16. The nation imported 0.25 MnT in Sept’15. 
5. South Korea, the fifth largest iron ore importer of South African iron ore has imported 0.17 MnT iron ore, significantly down by 59% as compared to 0.41 MnT in Aug’16. However, on a Y-o-Y basis, South Korea iron ore import has registered a downfall of 54% as compared to Sept’15.