The statistics of Customs show in 2009 China’s iron ore fines and concentrates imports reached record high of 630 million about 41.6% higher than 2008. But the total imported value dropped 17.4%, posting at USD 50.14 billion with the average prices of USD 79.9 per tonne about 41.7% lower than a year earlier.
The import volume surpasses 60 million once again in the single month of December. The iron ore imports last year started to increase in February and the following consecutive months. In September, import volume reached 64.38 million, the first single month that iron ore imports surpassed 60 million though the imports dropped slightly in the following October and November, December saw another big jump, with the volume stood at 62.16 million. Meanwhile, the average imported price rose to USD 86.6 per tonne CFR.
The imports of state-owned enterprises increase slowly, while private and foreign enterprises saw great increase in iron ore imports. In 2009, the state owned enterprises imported 400 million of iron ore up by 27.3%, about 14.3% lower than the total imports growth, while the private and foreign enterprises imported 87.44 million and 70.61 million of iron ore, up by 99.7% and 95.8% respectively. In addition, the collective enterprises imported 65.55 million up 42.6%.
Iron ore imports from Australia and Brazil increase quickly, while from South Africa, Ukraine and Canada increase even faster. In 2009, China imported 160 million and 140 million of iron ore from Australia and Brazil up by 42.9% and 41.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the imports from India increased 18%, reaching 110 million. The imports from South Africa, Ukraine and Canada increased evidently by 140%, 150% and 130%, reaching at 34.13 million, 11.58 million and 8.653 million respectively.
The number of import enterprise decreases, and so does the total import volume of top 20 enterprises. In 2009, 235 enterprises imported iron ore, about 28 enterprises less than the year of 2008, at the same time, the iron ore imports become even less concentrated, with top 20 importers totaled at 290 million tonnes, accounting 46.5% of the total iron ore imports, about 5.6% lower than last year.
Source : Mysteel.net