Chinese Coal and Iron Ore Imports Slow in October

Coal, Grain, Iron Ore, Steel

Chinese coal imports in October were down 5.9 Mt month-on-month at 26.9 Mt in October (including lignite), although still almost double the year-ago level, customs data reveal. This five-month low for imports brought the year-to-date total to 257.7 Mt, 4.3 Mt above the corresponding period in 2020.

At 91.6 Mt, Chinese imports of iron ore in October were down from September and also 15.1 Mt lower year-on-year, according to preliminary customs data. Inbound shipments over January-October were 40.9 Mt below the same period last year at 934.6 Mt.

Meanwhile, Chinese soyabean imports tumbled 3.6 Mt annually in October to 5.1 Mt, the lowest level since March 2020.

Chinese steel exports rose, up 0.5 Mt year-on-year to 4.5 Mt.