Taiwan Iron Ore imports surged 31% in April

By  Paul Ploumis 02 Jul 2015  Last updated at  04:05:50 GMT

BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The trade statistics released by the Taiwan’s Directorate General of Customs for the month of April 2015 indicates sharp rise in iron ore imports by the country. Taiwan’s iron ore imports during the month totaled 2.134 Million tonnes, higher by 30.5% when compared with the imports during the same month a year ago. The import prices averaged at $66.9 per tonne, 49.38% lower year-on-year.

 

The largest exporter of iron ore to Taiwan during April this year was Australia. The imports from Australia totaled 1.550 Million tonnes, accounting for nearly 73% of the total imports by Taiwan during the month. The second largest source of iron ore import by the country was Brazil with 582,908 tonnes, followed by Philippines (719 tonnes).

 

The cumulative iron ore imports by Taiwan during the initial four-month period of the year 2015 totaled 8.864 Million tonnes, significantly higher by 25.1% when matched with the imports of 7.088 Million tonnes during January to April in 2014. The average import prices were at $75.40 per tonne during the initial four month period this year, dropping sharply by 44% when compared with the average import price of $134.50 per ton during Jan-Apr ’14.

 

The top three exporters of iron ore to Taiwan during the four-month period were Australia (6.370 Million tonnes), Brazil (2.288 Million tonnes) and Canada (205,505 tonnes).