In the January-July period of the current year, China’s imports of iron ore and finished steel totaled 538.92 million mt and 7.70 million mt, respectively, down 0.1 percent and decreasing by 9.1 percent year on year, as announced by the Chinese customs authorities.
In July alone, China imported 86.10 million mt of iron ore, up 11.14 million mt or 14.9 percent compared to June and indicating a year-on year increase of 4.3 percent. In the given month, China’s finished steel imports amounted to 1.05 million mt, down 120,000 mt or 10.3 percent month on month and declining by 13.9 percent year on year.