Today, the DCE iron ore futures market fluctuated, with the most-traded contract I2601 closing at 776, down 1.08% from yesterday. Traders sold their goods according to market conditions; steel mills mainly purchased as needed, and the overall market transaction atmosphere was average.

The share of the investigated products exported to Japan in China's total exports initially rose before declining, but the overall proportion remained relatively small. As of the first six months of 2025, the ratio was just 2%, down YoY from 2024. According to customs data, China exported 127,100 mt of the investigated products to Japan in the first half of 2025, having a relatively limited impact on China's total exports of these products. In an extreme scenario, this could lead to a decline of 127,100 mt in China's total exports in 2026.   Data shows that as exports of the investigated products to Japan declined in 2025, Japan's ranking among export destinations dropped from 7th in 2024 to 12th. Meanwhile, countries such as Israel, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq moved up in the rankings. This indicates that Chinese exporters are actively diversifying risks by exploring new markets amid trade uncertainties.  

Today, Dalian iron ore futures held up well during the session but dived at the close. The most-traded contract I2601 eventually closed at 795, unchanged from yesterday. Traders' willingness to sell was moderate; steel mills restocked on demand.

[Domestic iron ore brief review: Iron ore concentrate prices in the Tangshan region may fluctuate] Prices of iron ore concentrates in the Tangshan region have risen again, with the ex-factory prices (dry basis, tax included) of 66-grade iron ore concentrates ranging from 990 to 1,000 yuan/mt. Steel mills are cautious about increasing procurement prices. The inflow of resources from Chengde to Tangshan has slowed down, but ore beneficiation companies remain firm in their pricing due to cost considerations. Currently, market transactions are relatively sluggish.