[China Iron Ore Brief] Iron Ore Concentrates Prices in Shandong Region Likely to Remain in the Doldrums

Published: May 25, 2026 18:00

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[Brief Comment on China's Iron Ore Market] In Shandong, mine-mouth price of 64% grade alkaline concentrate (dry basis, pre-tax) was quoted at 880, down 29. Steel mills lowered prices in tandem and slowed their purchasing pace, leading to a slight inventory buildup at mines. Shipments from small plants and traders also slowed, with overall transactions remaining sluggish. Over the weekend, a particularly severe accident occurred at a coal mine in Shanxi, but it had no significant impact on local mines and beneficiation plants in Shandong.

In Shandong, mines and beneficiation plants quoted 880 for 64-grade alkaline concentrates on a dry basis before tax, down 29. Steel enterprises lowered prices in tandem, and their purchase pace slowed somewhat, causing miners' inventory to accumulate slightly. Shipments from small plants and traders also slowed down, with overall transactions remaining subdued. A particularly serious coal mine accident occurred in Shanxi over the weekend, but it had no significant impact on local mines and beneficiation plants in Shandong, and overall production remained relatively stable. Recently, imported ore prices have been relatively volatile, and influenced by this, local iron ore concentrates prices are expected to remain in the doldrums with volatile movements in the short term. [SMM Steel]

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