Chinese Iron Ore, Coal, Soyabean Imports Rise

Coal, Grain, Iron Ore

Chinese iron ore imports rose to 176.8 Mt in January-February, up by 2.5 Mt year-on-year, preliminary data from the General Administration of Customs show. This compares with a recent peak of 101.3 Mt in December 2019 (highest since September 2017).

Total Chinese coal imports climbed by 16.9 Mt year-on-year to 68.1 Mt in January-February. There was a statistical surge in early 2020 coal imports from the end of 2019, after coal import restrictions saw just 2.8 Mt reported in December.

Meanwhile, the country’s soyabean imports grew by 1.7 Mt year-on-year to 13.5 Mt in January-February. Receipts were boosted by US product that loaded late last year clearing customs, according to Reuters.