According to statistics released by the General Administration of Customs, China imported 37.4 million tonnes of iron ore in August, dropping 5.62% from the previous month, while the country's total imports over the first eight months grew by 22.4% YoY to 306.97 million tons.

 

Australia remained China's largest single supplier of iron ore in August and contributed 18.66 million tonnes accounting for nearly half of all iron ore imports. Brazil was the second-largest source of iron ore, exporting 8.62 million tonnes to China in August dipping 0.16%MoM. Brazilian iron ore giant Vale suspended shipments to China in mid-August after Chinese steel mills refused to accede to Vale's request of a hike in long term prices for the rest of the 2008/2009 contract year.

 

The table below lists China's iron ore concentrate imports for August and the first eight months of 2008.

 

China's iron ore concentrate imports, August and the first eight months of 2008

 

(In ‘000 tonnes)

 

Editor:    Ivy

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