Chinese September Trade Data

Coal, Grain, Iron Ore, Steel

Total Chinese coal imports jumped 14.2 Mt year-on-year to reach a year-to-date high of 32.9 Mt in September, according to preliminary customs data. At 91.1 Mt, inbound shipments in the 3q21 were 25.7 Mt above the corresponding quarter last year and marked the highest quarterly level since the 1q20.

By contrast, Chinese imports of iron ore fell 12.9 Mt annually to 95.6 Mt.  At 281.6 Mt, shipments in the 3q21 were 39.9 Mt below the record-high volume recorded in the 3q20.

Chinese soyabean imports also retreated in September, down 2.9 Mt year-on-year to 6.9 Mt, the lowest level since February 2021.

Despite climbing 1.1 Mt annually to 4.9 Mt in September, Chinese steel exports were still at their lowest level since February 2021.