China’s Iron Ore Imports from Australia Down 20% in Feb’18

World’s largest consumer of iron ore, China recorded iron ore & pellets imports at 84.26 MnT in Feb’18, according to Customs data maintained with SteelMint. Chinese iron ore (including pellets) imports in Feb’18 witnessed decline of 16% M-o-M as against 100.32 MnT in Jan’18. The imports witnessed a downfall owing to week long Lunar New Year holidays (15th Feb- 21st Feb), resulting in reduced iron ore demand.

On yearly basis, China iron ore imports in Feb’18 stood almost stable at 84.26 MnT as against 85.16 MnT in Feb’17.

For first two months of CY’18, the total imports by the country recorded at 184.58 MnT, up 3% as against 178.97 MnT for same period last year. Australia witnessed to be the largest exporter for the period at 115.93 MnT (up 8% Y-o-Y), followed by Brazil at 39.25 MnT (up 7% Y-o-Y) and South Africa at 7.84 MnT (up 7% Y-o-Y).

Agglomerated iron ore (pellets and concentrate) imports witnessed decrease of 19% in Feb’18 to 1.81 MnT as against 2.24 MnT in Jan’18. The Y-o-Y imports recorded marginal decline in Feb’18 as against 1.84 MnT in Feb’17.

Non-agglomerated iron ore (lumps & fines) imports declined by 16% M-o-M to 82.45 MnT in Feb’18 compared to to 98.08 MnT in Jan’18. The Y-o-Y imports remained almost stable in Feb’18 as against 83.32 MnT in Feb’17.

Australia iron ore exports to China down 20% M-o-M

Australia iron ore exports to China were registered at 51.39 MnT in Feb’18 (down 20% M-o-M), with 61% share of total Chinese iron ore imports. Brazil, the second-largest iron ore exporter to China, recorded exports at 19.64 MnT in line with Jan’18 exports, followed by South Africa at 3.23 MnT (down 30% M-o-M) and Peru at 1.83 MnT (up 45% M-o-M). India exported 1.41 MnT in Feb’18, down 18% M-o-M as against 1.72 MnT in Jan’18.

China Country-wise Iron Ore Import:

Quantity in MnT
Source: China Customs
Provisional Data