As of January 18, inventory of iron ore at 33 major Chinese ports amounted to 103.2 million mt, up 650,000 mt or 0.63 percent compared to the inventory level recorded on January 10, as announced by China's Xinhua News Agency on January 19.
As of the same date, the Xinhua-China Iron Ore Price Index for imported iron ore with 62 percent iron content was at 81 points, up four points week on week. Meanwhile, the Xinhua-China Iron Ore Price Index for imported iron ore with 58 percent iron content was at 71 points on the date in question, also up four points week on week.
In the given week, imported iron ore prices in China increased due to rises in iron ore futures prices. At present, sentiment as regards the prospects for the price trend has improved. But given the approach of the Chinese New Year holiday, it is thought that prices of imported iron ore in China will likely just indicate slight fluctuations in the coming period.