Indian Iron Ore Movement Up 10% in May'19

As per SteelMint's analysis, iron ore movement across major producing states of the country recorded at 13.44 MnT (excluding exports) in May'19. The iron ore movement has recorded 10% rise against 12.23 MnT in Apr'19. The figures are compiled on the basis of movements made via railways, trucks, and Karnataka and import data as per customs. The figures exclude the captive iron ore movement of SAIL & Tata Steel and movement for exports.

State-wise iron ore movement analysis:

Odisha iron ore dispatches picked up 21% in May'19

Odisha- India's largest iron ore producing state recorded rise in total iron ore dispatches at 8.26 MnT in May'19, as against 6.82 MnT in Apr'19. The figures exclude movement for export and dispatches of miners- SAIL & Tata Steel.

Rungta Mines dispatched the iron ore at 1.46 MnT in May'19. The dispatch recorded 14% decline as against 1.70 MnT in Apr'19. Serajuddin mine recorded iron ore dispatches at 0.95 MnT, followed by OMC at 0.92 MnT.

Iron ore dispatches from C.G up 30% in May'19

Iron ore dispatches from Chhattisgarh recorded at 2.18 MnT iron ore in May'19, up 30% as against 1.68 MnT in Apr'19.

NMDC supplied total of 400 (1.54 MnT) rakes of iron ore for the month of May'19, up 7% against 374 (1.44 MnT) rakes a month before in Apr'19. Dispatches increased amid roll over in prices for May'19 deliveries. Prior to this the miner had cut iron ore fines and lump prices by INR 150/MT in April.

Karnataka iron ore E-auction sales dropped 21% in May'19

Karnataka has registered drop in iron ore sales for the month of May'19 at 2.30 MnT as against 2.90 MnT in Apr'19.

NMDC stood the largest supplier of iron ore at 0.75 MnT against 0.62 MnT a month ago, followed by Vyasankere iron ore mine at 0.25 MnT. NMDC's Donimalai iron ore mines in Karnataka continue to remain suspended since Nov'18 amid reserved Judgement by HighCourt.

Indian iron ore imports fell amid high global prices

Indian iron ore imports in May'19 have been recorded at 313,530 MT, down 21% compared to 395,000 MT in Apr'19. The imports have dropped amid high global prices. The global iron ore prices reached five years high in May'19 at USD 108/MT.

JSW stood the largest importer for the month of May'19 at 0.19 MnT in line with last month imports by the company. Imports were done from Australia and South Africa. KIOCL stood second largest importer at 0.08 MnT followed by Swiss Singapore at 0.05 MnT.

Indian iron ore exports volumes hit 13 months high

Indian iron ore export volumes increased by 45% to 2.05 MnT in May'19 as against 1.42 MnT in Apr'19. On yearly basis, iron ore export increased significantly as against 0.79 MnT in the month of May'18. Iron ore exports from India have climbed to 13-months high as similar level of exports was last seen in Mar'18 at 2.63 MnT.

The exports picked up amid high global prices, increased Chinese demand and falling inventory at Chinese ports.

Rungta stood largest iron ore exporter in May'19 at 0.56 MnT, up significantly as against 0.12 MnT in Apr'19. SM Niryat stood second largest and its exports fell 25% to 0.33 MnT for the month. MMTC exports picked up 29% to 0.29 MnT

Other major exporters were Bagadiya Brother at 0.16 MnT, Kashvi power and Steels at 0.11 MnT.

Indian pellet exports up 34% in May'19

Indian pellet export volumes for May'19 have been recorded at 1.19 MnT, up 34% as against 0.88 MnT a month ago. Pellet exports from India for the month has witnessed rise to non-Chinese markets such as Turkey, South Africa and South Korea. While BRPL actively exported pellet vessels to Turkey; KIOCL exported to UAE, Oman and Essar Steel remained active in South Africa.

JSPL stood the largest pellet exporter in May'19 with exports at 0.2 MnT, up by two folds as against 0.1 MnT in Apr'19.

Rashmi Metaliks stood second largest exporter at 0.19 MnT (up 69% M-o-M), followed by BRPL at 0.18 MnT

Other exporters were KIOCL, Jindal SAW, Bagadiya Brothers and others.

Qty in MnT, Import and Export Fig includes pellet
Excluding SAIL & Tata Captive procurement
Source: SteelMint Research