South Africa: Iron Ore Exports Increased 13% M-o-M in Apr’18

South Africa – world’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil, exported 5.75 MnT in Apr’18, according to trade data released by South African Customs.

South Africa Iron ore exports witnessed 13% increase in Apr’18 as against 5.08 MnT in Mar’18. The Y-o-Y exports witnessed increase of 12% in Apr’18 as against 5.15 MnT in Apr’17.

For the duration Jan-Apr’18, South African exports recorded at 21.31 MnT, up marginally against 20.95 MnT same period last year (Jan-Apr’17). China stood the largest importer for the year CY’18 (Jan-Apr), at 13.61 MnT (up slightly on yearly basis), followed by India at 1.66 MnT (up 66% Y-o-Y) and Japan at 1.22 MnT (up 14% Y-o-Y).

In Apr’18, an agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports recorded increase of 41% M-o-M to 4.14 MnT, against 2.94 MnT in Mar’18. The Y-o-Y iron ore exports were up 31% in Apr’18 as against Apr’17, recorded at 3.16 MnT

The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore exports were down 25% M-o-M to 1.61 MnT in Apr’18 against 2.14 MnT in Mar’18. However, the Y-o-Y exports witnessed fall of 19% in Apr’18 as compared to Apr’17 exports at 1.99 MnT.

South Africa Iron Ore Exports to India declined 38% M-o-M

Indian iron ore imports from South Africa witnessed at 0.3 MnT, down 38% M-o-M as against 0.48 MnT in Mar’18.

China continues to remain the largest iron ore importer from South Africa for the month of Apr’18 and imported 3.82 MnT, contributing 66% of total South African export share in Apr’18 (stable M-o-M), followed by Netherland at 0.57 MnT and Japan at 0.19 MnT.

Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data