Iron ore prices in China have moved down in the past week as the traditional offseason for the steel market is approaching and iron ore shipments from major suppliers may increase in the coming months.
Today, May 22, prices for ex-Australia iron ore fines with 62 percent Fe content are at $99/mt CFR, down by $0.95/mt from the previous day, while down by $2.8/mt over the past week. Also, ex-Brazil fines with 65 percent Fe are priced at $110/mt CFR, $1.05/mt lower than on May 21, but $2.95/mt lower compared to May 15.
22 deals totaling 582,900 mt of iron ore have been signed at the Corex platform on May 22. In particular, 10,000 mt of 65.45 percent Fe Carajas fines were transacted at RMB 850/mt ($118/mt), for delivery at Rizhao port, while 8,000 mt of 59.34 percent Fe fines were dealt at RMB 653/mt ($90.7/mt), for delivery at Dongjiakou port.
During the given week, import iron ore prices have moved on a downtrend due to the slack demand from downstream steelmakers. Some blast furnaces have undergone maintenance works, resulting in slacker demand for iron ore. Shipments of iron ore in the global market are expected to increase slightly, which will result in increasing inventory levels at ports. It is thought that import iron ore prices in the Chinese market will likely soften in the coming week.
Iron ore futures prices at Dalian Commodity Exchange have risen by 0.14 percent today to RMB 727/mt ($101/mt) compared to the previous trading day, May 21, while decreasing by 1.3 percent compared to May 8.
As of May 22, rebar futures at Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,061/mt ($426/mt), decreasing by RMB 57/mt ($7.9/mt) or 1.8 percent since May 15, while down 0.03 percent compared to the previous trading day, May 21.
Imported iron ore prices in China (week-on-week basis)
| Product name | Iron Content |
Truck loaded price (RMB/mt) |
Change (RMB/mt) |
Price ($/mt) |
Change ($/mt) |
| Newman iron ore lump | 63/63.5 | 890 | -14 | 123.8 | -1.8 |
| Yandi fines | 58/59 | 736 | -13 | 102.4 | -1.7 |
| PB Fines | 62 | 765 | -13 | 106.4 | -1.7 |
| PB iron ore lump | 62/63 | 905 | -15 | 125.9 | -2.0 |
| Brazil fines | 63 | 781 | -8 | 108.6 | -1.0 |
Price includes VAT.
Nationwide iron ore concentrate prices (66 percent Fe)
| Place of origin | Market price (RMB/mt, Incl. VAT) | Change (RMB/mt) |
Price ($/mt) | Change ($/mt) |
| Tangshan | 840 | -10 | 117 | -1 |
| Beipiao | 797 | -5 | 111 | -1 |
Price includes VAT.
$1 = RMB 7.1903