[Domestic Iron Ore Brief] Next week, domestic ore price gains are expected to trail imported ore prices, and the price spread between domestic and imported ore is likely to continue narrowing.

Published: Aug 14, 2026 18:21

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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.

This week, prices in the domestic iron ore concentrates market showed mixed performance, with notable regional divergence. Among them, prices in Tangshan, Qian'an, and Qianxi in Hebei were basically stable; those in Chaoyang, Beipiao, and Jianping in western Liaoning also remained stable; those in East China edged down by 10-15 yuan/mt. Looking ahead to next week, the tight supply situation for domestic iron ore concentrates is expected to persist. On the demand side, some steel mills are expected to resume production; combined with recent gains in imported ore spot prices, the price spread between domestic and imported ore continued to narrow. Meanwhile, iron ore futures showed strength, which may provide some support to domestic ore prices. However, domestic ore price gains are expected to lag those of imported ore, and the price spread between domestic and imported ore is likely to narrow further. [SMM Steel]

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