The world’s largest consumer of iron ore, China has imported 92.9 MnT iron ore in Sept’16. The country imports more than two-third of seaborne iron ore.
In Sept’16, iron ore imports were recorded monthly highest of 2016. Iron ore imports rose by 6% M-o-M. However, on the Y-o-Y basis, country’s import increased by 8% as it was 86.1 MnT in the same consecutive month last year.
Country majorly imports iron ore from Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. India turns out to be fifth largest iron ore exporter to China in Sept’16 which was Peru in Aug’16. Among total imports in Sept’16, Australia contributed 65%, Brazil 20%, South Africa 5%, Iran 2%, and India contributed 1% of total imports. 
Exports from Australia registered at 60.4 MnT, up by 9% M-o-M. However, on the Y-o-Y basis, exports from Australia increased by 9% as it was 55.7 MnT in Sept’15.
On similar lines, exports from Brazil, the second-largest iron ore exporter to China, remained at 19 MnT in Sept’16. Exports were up by 9% M-o-M and 10% Y-o-Y basis. Meanwhile, exports from South Africa remained at 4.47 MnT, up by 35% as it was 3.3 MnT in Aug’16.
India exported 0.88 MnT iron ore in the month of Sept’16, significantly down by 15% as it was 1.03 MnT in Aug’16. Indian iron ore exports to China was recorded at 0.15 MnT in Aug’15.
China iron ore imports in first nine months of 2016 was recorded at 762 MnT, up by 9% as it was 699.3 MnT in the same time period prior this year. In Sept’16, Chinese iron ore import price averaged at USD 53.58/MT, CFR China down by USD 2.1/MT M-o-M.
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