According to the data maintained by SteelMint, Iran exported 1.33 MnT iron ore via bulk shipments in ninth month of current Persian year (during 22 Nov-21 Dec’17). Thus export have come down by 13.5% M-o-M against 1.54 MnT in Nov’17.
A large number of Iranian private iron ore mines’ closure consequently led to a sharp drop in exports.The country was overpowered by tough competitors such as Australia, Brazil, South Africa, India, Canada and Ukraine. Iron ore export is also expected to be low in up coming Jan to march’18.
China bulk iron ore imports from Iran fell in Dec’17 – China remains the largest importer of Iran iron ore for the month of Dec’17 with 75% share and imported 0.99 MnT in Dec’17 compared to 1.42 MnT in Nov’17. Other major importers of Iranian iron ore were Malaysia at 0.06 MnT (5% of total share), followed by other countries at 0.28 MnT .
Iran country wise bulk iron ore Exports Dec’17 vs Nov’17
| Country | Dec’17 | Nov’17 | M-o-M (%) |
| China | 0.99 | 1.42 | -30% |
| Malaysia | 0.06 | 0.08 | -24% |
| N/A | 0.28 | 0.04 | 557% |
| Grand Total | 1.33 | 1.54 | -13.5 |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats, Keyvan Jafari Tehrani
Provisional Data
According to the United States Geological Survey, Iran holds 10th largest iron ore reserves. Share of iron ore exports to China have come down on yearly basis by 45% from 1.79 MnT in Dec’16 to 0.99 MnT in Dec’17. The decrease in export shipments from Iran to China in December is owing to increased export volumes from Goa. Further, the large inventories at Chinese major ports is inhibiting imports.
Iran to impose iron ore export duty from March 2018: Reports
The Iranian government plans to impose a 10% export duty on non-concentrated iron ore from the beginning of the next Iranian year (March 21, 2018), according to reports.
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