Taiwan Iron Ore Imports Up 28% for Q1

According to the trade data released by Taiwan customs, Taiwan has imported 6.35 MnT of iron ore in 2017-Q1. Taiwan iron ore imports have witnessed a considerable increase of 28% Y-o-Y for the first quarter compared to that of 2016 which was at 4.97 MnT.

In Mar'17, Taiwan's iron ore imports were at 2.25 MnT 41% higher M-o-M compared to the quantity of 1.60 MnT in Feb'17.However the imports were down by 2% for the corresponding month last year, as it was at 2.30 MnT in Mar'16.

The non-agglomerated iron ore (lumps & fines) import in Mar'17 reported as 1.15 MnT, here increase of 70% M-o-M. No change was seen Y-o-Y when compared with the same month last year. The agglomerated ore (pellets and concentrates) import was registered as 0.1 MnT significantly down by 70% M-o-M and 29% Y-o-Y compared with month of March 2016.

Country-wise iron ore imports in Mar'17
Taiwan, the world's sixth largest iron ore importer mainly imports iron ore from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, etc. In Mar'17, Australia is actively exporting high-grade iron ore to Taiwan in order to fulfill its iron ore demand. Australia has exported 2.05 MnT iron ore to Taiwan & continued to remain the largest exporter of iron ore to Taiwan. Brazil turned out to be the second largest exporter with 0.2 MnT iron ore in Mar'17.