China: Iron pellet imports down 49%, y-o-y, in Jan-Jul’21

China, the world’s largest iron ore consumer and importer, recorded iron ore pellet imports at 14.7 mn t in Jan-Jul’21, according to the General Administration of Customs. Imports moved down by 49%, y-o-y, due to sustained crude steel production cuts and decreased demand supported by a firm consumption outlook. On monthly basis, imports witnessed a decline of 17% as against 2.25 mn t in Jul’21