China's iron ore imports hit a record high in 2023

Data from the General Administration of Customs on January 12 showed that China exported 7.728 million mt of steel in December 2023, down 277,000 mt or 3.5% MoM. From January to December, China’s steel exports totalled 90.264 million mt, up 36.2% YoY.
In December, China imported 665,000 mt of steel, up 51,000 mt or 8.3% MoM. From January to December, China’s steel imports totalled 7.645 million mt, down 27.6% YoY.
In December, China imported 100.861 million mt of iron ore and its concentrate, down 1.882 million mt or 1.8% MoM. From January to December, China imported a total of 1,179.060 million mt of iron ore and its concentrate, up 6.6% YoY.
In December, China imported 47.297 million mt of coal and lignite, up 3.791 million mt or 8.7% MoM. From January to December, China imported 474.416 million mt of coal and lignite, up 61.8% YoY.