Indian Iron Ore Movement Up 6% in Apr'19

As per SteelMint's analysis, iron ore movement across major producing states of the country recorded at 11.95 MnT (excluding exports) in Apr'19. The iron ore movement has recorded 6% rise against 11.25 MnT in Mar'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 in Apr'19

Odisha- India's largest iron ore producing state recorded rise in total iron ore dispatches at 6.82 MnT in Apr'19, as against 6.30 MnT in Mar'19. The figures exclude movement for export and dispatches of miners- SAIL & Tata Steel. In the beginning of April'19 Odisha based merchant iron ore miners offered discount amid fresh EC limit for the new fiscal year.

Rungta Mines, recorded highest dispatch at 1.70 MnT in Apr'19, an increase of 28% against 1.33 MnT in Mar'19. OMC dispatches recorded at 0.84 MnT followed by Serajuddin at 0.81 MnT.

Iron ore dispatches from C.G down 32% in Apr'19

Iron ore dispatches from Chhattisgarh recorded at 1.68 MnT iron ore in Apr'19, down as against 2.45 MnT in Mar'19.

NMDC supplied 374 rakes (1.44 MnT) of iron ore for the month of Apr'19, down against 427 rakes (1.64 MnT) a month before in Mar'19.

Karnataka iron ore E-auction sales doubled in Apr'19

Karnataka has registered an increase of 50% in iron ore sales volume in Apr'19 e-auctions against Mar'19. Total iron ore allotted quantity stood at 2.9 MnT in Apr'19 compared to 1.93 MnT in Mar'19.

Vedanta Ltd for the month of April'19 remained the largest iron ore supplier with 37% share of total iron ore sales at 1.08 MnT. NMDC's iron ore sales increased by 44% M-o-M to 0.62 MnT in April'19 compared to 0.43 MnT in Mar'19.NMDC has temporarily suspended operations at Donimalai in Karnataka since Nov'18.

The major buyer of iron ore in auction included JSW Steel at 2.18 MnT, followed by BMM Ispat at 0.10 MnT and Minera Steel and Power Private Limited at 0.05 MnT.

Indian iron ore imports fell in Apr'19

Indian iron ore imports in Apr'19 have been recorded at 287,500 MT, according to the data maintained by SteelMint. Indian iron ore imports witnessed marginal decline for the month compared to 289,258 MT in Mar'19.

India's major steel maker- JSW stood the largest importer for the month of Apr'19 at 0.19 MnT as against being nil a month before. Imports were done mostly from Australia and South Africa. Other importers were Chowgule and Company at 0.06 MT and Welspun Steel at 0.04 MT.

India pellet imports recorded at 53,800 MT in Apr'19 from Iran against nil imports a month ago. Since the data maintained with SteelMint, it's for the first time that India has imported pellets from Iran.

Indian iron ore exports volumes hit 1 year high

Indian iron ore export volumes increased by 14% to 1.36 MnT as against 1.19 MnT in Mar'19. On yearly basis, iron ore export increased by 15% as against 1.18 MnT in the month of Apr'18 last year. Iron ore exports from India have climbed to 1-year high as similar level of exports was last seen in Mar'18 at 2.63 MnT. The exports volume picked up amid increased Chinese demand for low & medium grade iron ore and supply constraints from Brazil and Australia.

SM Niryat stood largest iron ore exporter in April'19 at 0.38 MnT, (up 52% M-o-M). MMTC (which exports on behalf of NMDC) stood second largest and its exports increased by 10% to 0.23 MnT for the month. Other major exporters were Bagadiya Brother at 0.17 MnT, Fomento Resources at 0.15 MnT and Rungta mines at 0.12 MnT

Indian pellet exports dropped amid reduced Chinese demand

Indian pellet export volumes for Apr'19 have been recorded at 0.88 MnT, down 25% on monthly basis as against 1.17 MnT a month ago. The pellet exports fell due to domestic availability of pellets in China and preference for lumps over pellets.

BRPL stood the largest pellet exporter in Apr'19 with exports at 0.24 MnT, up 4% as against 0.23 MnT in Mar'19. KIOCL stood second largest exporter at 0.17 MnT (down 28% M-o-M), followed by Essar Steel at 0.12 MnT and Rashmi Metaliks at 0.11 MnT. Other exporters were JSPL, Godavari Power, and others.

India Iron Ore Movement

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