Iron Ore Weakens to 3-Week Low

Iron ore futures fell below CNY 710 per ton, reaching three-week lows as weak market fundamentals continued to weigh on prices. Industry data showed global iron ore shipments increased by 1.59 million tons to 35.17 million tons in the week ended September 13, pointing to ample supply. Elevated coke prices also continued to pressure steelmakers’ profit margins, prompting some producers to scale back operations and undertake maintenance. Chinese steel demand weakened further in the third quarter amid a continued slowdown in construction activity. Data showed China’s new home prices extended their decline in August, highlighting the persistent drag from the country’s prolonged property downturn. Meanwhile, steel mills may see some incentive to replenish iron ore inventories ahead of the extended National Day holidays in early October.

Iron ore futures fell to around CNY 710 per ton, declining for a fourth consecutive session as worsening profitability at steel mills continued to weigh on the demand outlook for the key steelmaking ingredient. Industry data showed that steel mill profitability in China dropped sharply to 7.79% in the latest week, as persistently high coke prices continued to squeeze margins. Chinese steel demand also weakened further in the third quarter amid an ongoing slowdown in construction activity. Meanwhile, overseas steel demand remained relatively resilient but showed signs of a delayed recovery. Iron ore inventories at major Chinese ports fell nearly 1% to 151.29 million metric tons last week, providing some support to prices. There were also signs of restocking, with steel mills’ imported iron ore inventories rising by 1.41 million metric tons to 90.44 million metric tons over the same period.

Iron ore futures slipped toward CNY 730 per ton, pulling back from six-week highs amid rising concerns over demand in top consumer China as steel margins continued to deteriorate. Industry data showed that only around 30% of steelmakers were profitable as of September 4, down from 32.5% a week earlier and 61% during the same period last year. Another report indicated that China’s blast furnace operating rate fell to 89.08%, down 0.48 percentage point week-on-week, while average daily pig iron output declined by 5,200 mt to 2.4028 million mt. China’s state-owned iron ore importer, China Mineral Resources Group, has also advised several steelmakers to avoid purchasing Rio Tinto Group’s key Pilbara Blend ore. Meanwhile, South Korean logistics and shipping company HMM signed a long-term shipping contract with Brazilian miner Vale worth around US$3.5 billion to transport iron ore starting in 2030.