Labour Day Holiday Restocking Wrapping Up, Sentiment Continued to Ferment, Iron Ore Rose Sharply by 1.60% [SMM Imported Ore Brief Comment]

Published: Apr 30, 2026 17:20

Save

On April 30, 2026, DCE iron ore futures strengthened, with the most-traded contract I2609 closing at 796 yuan/mt, up 1.60% from the previous trading session. Spot prices rose 2-5 from the previous day. Traders showed moderate enthusiasm in quoting, steel mills restocked on demand with few inquiries; overall spot transactions were lackluster.

According to the latest SMM statistics, total iron ore inventory at 35 main ports nationwide stood at 150.08 million mt, down 1.09 million mt MoM, showing slight destocking. Meanwhile, daily average port pick-up volume rebounded to 3.305 million mt, up 118,000 mt WoW. Although hot metal production pulled back slightly WoW, the overall destocking trend indicated that iron ore demand remained relatively strong. Currently, restocking demand ahead of the Labour Day holiday has largely concluded, and upward momentum driven by fundamentals is expected to weaken in the short term.

On the other hand, affected by related policy adjustments, market panic emerged over iron ore and downstream trade liquidity, with sentiment continuing to ferment, driving iron ore spot prices to rise sharply. In the short term, iron ore prices may still hold up well, but close attention should be paid to potential impacts from shifts in market sentiment.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

26 mins ago

[SMM Sheets & Plates Daily Review] Costs Still Provided Support, Prices Expected to Follow a Fluctuating Trend

26 mins ago

32 mins ago

[China Iron Ore Brief] Iron Ore Concentrates Prices in Shandong Region May Show Volatile Trends

[China Iron Ore Brief Review] This week, the pre-tax ex-factory price of 64-grade alkaline concentrates (dry basis) at mines and beneficiation plants in Shandong was reported at 868, down 12. Local mines and beneficiation plants mostly maintained normal production as planned, but overall iron ore concentrates resources remained relatively tight. However, most miners had certain inventory levels and were able to maintain shipments, making it difficult for overall supply and demand to see significant changes. Steel mills were relatively cautious in their current procurement, mainly purchasing as needed, and overall market transactions were relatively sluggish. Recently, iron ore futures showed relatively volatile trends. Influenced by this, local iron ore concentrates prices are expected to

32 mins ago

40 mins ago

Tangshan Qian'an Raises Steel Billet Prices by 10 to 3,030 Yuan/mt on June 1

[Steel Billet Price Adjustment] On June 1, Tangshan Qian'an plain square billet resources were raised by 10 ex-factory, tax included, quoted at 3,030. (yuan/mt) [SMM Steel]

40 mins ago