Imports of Chinese August Iron ore remains high when Mills prepares for the peak season
Chinese iron ore imports in August rose 0.6% from July, because lower prices encourage sustainable purchases and when Mills prepare for the peak steel demand period in September.
The largest iron ore consumer in the world carries 105.23 million metric tons of steel making material last month, remaining above 100 million tons for the third month, data from the country’s general administration is displayed on Monday.
It increased from 104.62 million tons in July and 3.8% higher than 101.39 million tons imported in August 2024.
The lower iron ore price (SH-CCN-Irnor62) in the second quarter, with an average of below the main psychological level of $ 100 per ton, encourages purchase interest and supports high imports between June and August, the analysts said last week before the data release.
Also, imports rise last month due to hot metal output, the size of the demand for iron ore, remains high, said Zhuo Guiqiu, an analyst at the Jinrui Futures broker.
Last month, the average daily hot metal output was 2.41 million tons, almost flat from July but 5% higher than the previous year, data from Mysteel’s consultation showed.
Requests for ore are relatively strong to see prices rise for the second month in a row in August.
Restocking waves among steel factory to anticipate seasonal improvement in steel demand in September also caused higher ore imports in August.
In the first eight months of 2025, Chinese iron ore imports amounted to 801.62 million tons, narrowed a year decrease to 1.6% from 2.3% for the January-to-July period, according to data.
Chinese steel exports in August fell 3.4% from the previous month to 9.51 million tons.
For years-to-date, exports are 77.49 million tons, up 10% from the same time the previous year, and the highest record for that period.
Chinese steel exports are surprisingly strong so far this year even though there are anti-dumping steps from partners including Vietnam and South Korea, with the reason that local producers are injured by cheap Chinese steel floods.
Source: Reuters
