[China Iron Ore Brief] East Liaoning Iron Ore Prices May Remain in the Doldrums and Consolidate.

Published: Aug 13, 2026 18:23

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The dry-basis, tax-inclusive EXW price of iron ore concentrates in East Liaoning edged down to 860 yuan/mt. According to feedback from mines and beneficiation plants, the local price spread between domestic and imported ore is around 60 yuan/mt, while local steel mills generally have a relatively strong desire to bargain down prices and expect to narrow the spread to around 20 yuan/mt. Local mines and beneficiation plants are mostly selling as usual at steel mills' purchase prices. However, iron ore futures recently drifted higher, and the price spread between domestic and imported ore may continue to narrow. Local iron ore concentrate prices are expected to have limited downside room.

The dry-basis, tax-inclusive EXW price of iron ore concentrates in East Liaoning edged down to 860 yuan/mt. According to feedback from mines and beneficiation plants, the local price spread between domestic and imported ore is around 60 yuan, and local steel mills generally have a relatively strong desire to bargain down prices, expecting the spread to narrow to around 20 yuan. Local mines and beneficiation plants are mostly selling normally at steel mill purchase prices. However, iron ore futures have recently drifted higher, and the price spread between domestic and imported ore may continue to narrow. Local iron ore concentrate prices are expected to have limited downside room, but overall, they are expected to show a weak and stable consolidating trend. [SMM Steel]

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