Iron Pellet is being imported in large quantities in the north western part of India i.e. Gandhidham city in the state of Gujarat.
Low phosphorus (0.03%), less silicon (2.5%), less silica and alumina (5%), high Fe content (64-65%) and effective yield (purity level) of the finished product at 83-85% interest importers to procure Pellets, even at high landed cost.
Imports of Iron Pellet to India saw a drop of 28.60% M-o-M to 42,700 MT in May 2013. In April, 59,800 MT of Pellet had been imported.
Total Quantity of Pellet received in May and April:
At Kandla Port:
From Middle East (Bahrain) May = 22,700 MT, up 129.30% (12,800 MT) M-o-M
April = 9,900 MT
From Europe (Russia) May = 10,000 MT, down 66.56% (19,900 MT) M-o-M
April = 29,900 MT
From Europe (Finland) No imports took place in May. 5,000 MT was received in April.
At Mundra Port:
From Australia May = 10,000 MT, drop of 33.33% (5,000 MT) M-o-M
April = 15,000 MT
The quantity of Pellet being imported came down during May due to poor off take of finished steel products in Indian domestic market.
And, weak demand for the raw material from Sponge iron units that were maintaining operations at only 40-50% capacities.
Also, importers were preferring to procure Pellet in good quantities from KIOCL (Mangalore) at lower landed cost, looking at limited supply from international market.
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