India imported 0.66 MnT iron ore from South Africa in Jan’18, highest since past seven months.
South Africa – world’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil, exported 5.23 MnT in Jan’18, according to trade data released by South African Customs.
South Africa Iron ore exports witnessed decline of 12% in Jan’18 against 5.91 MnT in Dec’17. The Y-o-Y exports witnessed marginal decline in Jan’18 as against Jan’17 which was at 5.31 MnT.
In Jan’18, an agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports were down by 22% M-o-M to 3.11 MnT, against 4.01 MnT in Dec’17. However, the Y-o-Y iron ore exports witnessed increase of 7% in Jan’18 as against Jan’17 which stood at 2.9 MnT.
The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore exports were up 12% M-o-M to 2.12 MnT in Jan’18 against 1.9 MnT in Dec’17. Exports witnessed decline Y-o-Y by 12% in Jan’18 as compared to Jan’17 which stood at 2.41 MnT.
South Africa Iron Ore Exports to China fell 32%
China continues to remain the largest iron ore importer from South Africa in the month of Jan’18 and imported 2.6 MnT, contributing half of total Brazilian exports in Jan’18 (down 32% M-o-M), followed by India at 0.66 MnT (up 74% M-o-M), Japan at 0.5 MnT (up by more than twice M-o-M) and South Korea at 0.43 MnT (down 31% M-o-M).
| Country | Jan’18 | Dec’17 | M-o-M (%) | Jan’17 | Y-o-Y (%) |
| China | 2.6 | 3.83 | -32% | 3.31 | -21% |
| India | 0.66 | 0.38 | 74% | 0.17 | 288% |
| Japan | 0.5 | 0.21 | 138% | 0.17 | 194% |
| South Korea | 0.43 | 0.62 | -31% | 0.44 | -2% |
| Switzerland | 0.33 | 0 | 100% | 0 | 100% |
| Italy | 0.22 | 0 | 100% | 0.17 | 29% |
| Netherland | 0.18 | 0.53 | -66% | 0.46 | -61% |
| Turkey | 0.16 | 0 | 100% | 0 | 100% |
| Others | 0.17 | 0.34 | -50% | 0.58 | -71% |
| Grand Total | 5.23 | 5.91 | -12% | 5.31 | -2% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data
Indian imports from South Africa increased to 0.66 MnT in Jan’18
Indian imports recorded increase in imports to 0.66 MnT, up 74% M-o-M as against 0.38 MnT in Dec’17. Owing to closure of mining operations at five mines in Odisha, material availability in domestic markets has reduced enhancing interest in imports.
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