China's iron ore imports hit 20-month high in Sep

SHANGHAI, Oct 14 (SMM) – China’s imports of iron ore and concentrates rose for a third straight month to stand at 99.36 million mt in September, higher than August and the highest since January 2018, according to China Customs data on October 14. 

In the first nine months of 2019, China imported 784.14 million mt of iron ore, down 2.4% from the same period last year.

Imports of steel products in China also rose by 139,000 mt from a month ago to 1.11 million mt in September. This was 7.3% lower from that in September 2018. 

China’s steel products imports in January to September stood at 8.75 million mt, down 12.2% year on year. China exported 5.53 million mt of steel products in September, up 524,000 mt from a month ago but down 7.1% from a year ago. 

Exports in January-September stood 5% lower from the same period last year, at 50.31 million mt.