Chinese Iron Ore, Coal and Soyabean Imports for December

Coal, Grain, Iron Ore

Chinese iron ore imports fell to a 21-month low of 86.1 Mt in December 2021, down 10.7 Mt year-on-year customs data show. After annual growth of 26.5 Mt in the first five months of the year, imports plunged by a net 71.2 Mt over June-December inclusive. Full-year imports in 2021 were 1,125.6 Mt.

Meanwhile, the country’s coal imports fell by 8.1 Mt year-on-year in December to 31.0 Mt (incl. lignite). Nevertheless, strong growth in the preceding months meant 2021 was still an eight-year high for annual imports at 323.7 Mt.

After six consecutive months of year-on-year decline, Chinese soyabean imports climbed 1.3 Mt in December to 8.9 Mt. At 96.5 Mt, 2021 imports were down by 3.8 Mt on the previous year.