South Africa: Iron Ore Exports Down 26% in Sep'18
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South Africa - World's 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil recorded exports at 4.17 MnT in Sep'18, according to the trade data released by South African Customs. The exports witnessed decrease of 26% on monthly basis as against 5.63 MnT in Aug'18.
The weather constraints, along with the maintenance shut-down at Saldanha port reduced the availability of lumps.
However, the Sep'18 exports on yearly basis, stood down 19% compared to Sep'17 exports at 5.18 MnT.
South African exports for the duration Jan-Sep'18 witnessed at 46.92 MnT, down 4% against same duration last year (Jan-Sep'17) at 49.09 MnT.
An agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports on monthly basis, recorded sharp decline in Sep'18 by 24% to 2.5 MnT as against 3.3 MnT in Aug'18. On yearly basis, exports decreased by 28% Y-o-Y as against 3.49 MnT in Sep'17.
The non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore monthly exports were down by 28% in Sep'18 to 1.67 MnT as against Aug'18 exports at 2.33 MnT. On yearly basis, exports witnessed slight decline as compared to Sep'17 exports at 1.69 MnT.
Indian imports from South Africa dropped 71% M-o-M
Indian imports of South African lumps dropped by 71% to 0.12 MnT in Sept'18 as against 0.41 MnT a month ago. The drop was due to increased preference for Australian lumps amidst low availability of South African lumps.
China continues to be the largest iron ore importer from South Africa for the month of Sep'18, at 2.09 MnT, contributing half of South African Sep'18 export. The exports dropped by 40% on monthly basis as against 3.47 MnT in Aug'18. Followed by South Korea at 0.4 MnT (up 48% M-o-M).
Mozambique iron ore imports from South Africa recorded significant increase for the month of Sep'18 at 0.38 MnT (up more than seven folds M-o-M).
Country wise South African Iron Ore Exports
| Country | Sep-18 | Aug-18 | M-o-M (%) | CY'18 | CY'17 | Y-o-Y (%) |
| China | 2.09 | 3.47 | -40% | 28.42 | 30.46 | -7% |
| South Korea | 0.4 | 0.27 | 48% | 3.1 | 3.59 | -14% |
| Mozambique | 0.38 | 0.05 | 660% | 0.62 | 0.68 | -9% |
| Japan | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0% | 3.14 | 2.68 | 17% |
| Switzerland | 0.24 | 0.09 | 167% | 0.83 | 0 | 100% |
| Netherland | 0.23 | 0.35 | -34% | 2.55 | 2.41 | 6% |
| Turkey | 0.17 | 0 | 100% | 0.66 | 0 | 100% |
| India | 0.12 | 0.41 | -71% | 2.83 | 2.44 | 16% |
| Others | 0.25 | 0.68 | -63% | 4.77 | 6.9 | -31% |
| Grand Total | 4.17 | 5.63 | -26% | 46.92 | 49.09 | -4% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: South Africa Customs
Provisional Data
