China’s iron ore output fell by 12.2 percent year-on-year in the January-April period, totaling 328.6 million tons, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS). In April alone, production amounted to 84.7 million tons, marking a 4.9 percent decline compared to the same month last year.

During April, iron ore import prices fluctuated within a narrow range, reaching a low of $96 per ton on April 8-9 and a high of $104 per ton on April 1-2. Meanwhile, iron ore shipments to China rose by 9.8 percent month-on-month to 103.14 million tons, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase from April 2024. The average price dropped by 13.3 percent year-on-year to $98.1 per ton, as demand remained steady due to strong steel production plans.

From January to April, imports declined by 5.5 percent year-on-year to 388.36 million tons, with the average price falling by 18.6 percent to $98.9 per ton. Despite the reduction in ore production, Chinese steelmakers produced 345.35 million tons of steel during the first four months of the year, posting a slight 0.4 percent increase despite Beijing’s proposed industry restructuring plans.