Western Australia's iron ore exports rose in October
Australian producers shipped 64 million tons of iron ore from Port Hedland and Port Dampier, the two largest iron ore ports in Western Australia (Washington), in October, up 11% from last year, due to increased shipments to most major markets.
- Chinese steelmakers bought 42 million tons of iron ore from Port Hedland in October, up 7.3% from a year earlier, after two consecutive monthly declines in August and September. The total volume of iron ore imports to China in October increased by 7.2% compared to the same period last year, according to Chinese customs data.
- Producers have also shipped 2.8 million tons of iron ore from small ports in the Pilbara, Washington region, the Pilbara Ports Authority said today.
- Japanese producers purchased 2 million tons of Port Hedland iron ore in October, which is 46% more than a year earlier. This trend may not have continued in November. Exports from Western Australia to Japan and South Korea combined declined between November 1 and November 17, according to preliminary shipping data.
- Vietnamese producers purchased 330,994 tons of Port Hedland iron ore in October, up from 348,458 tons a year earlier. Steel exports from Vietnam have been declining since the beginning of 2025. Manufacturers in this country exported 7.9 million tons of steel products in January-September, which is 21% less than last year.
- Australian producer BHP's iron ore production in Washington State fell 2.1% in January-September. The year ended in July-September, while the production volume of the British-Australian producer Rio Tinto did not change compared to the same period last year.
- Argus's 61pc Fe (ICX) cfr fine iron ore price in Qingdao was last estimated at $102.30 per tonne on November 19, slightly higher than $101.25 per tonne in early October. It was last priced at $2.60 per tonne below the Argus price of 62pc Fe (ICX) cfr fine iron ore in Qingdao.