[SMM Iron & Steel] India’s Iron Ore Exports Jump 39.6% MoM in April 2026 on Robust Chinese Bookings

Iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland, the world's largest bulk export terminal, marginally decreased by 0.2% month-on-month and by 0.9% year-on-year to 46,275,422 metric tons (mt) in April 2026, according to the Port Hedland Port Authority. Shipments destined for China stood at 38.48 million mt, remaining flat compared to March but dropping 6.4% year-on-year. On the other hand, neighboring Port Dampier saw its April iron ore shipments surge by 19% month-on-month and 8.5% year-on-year to 13.51 million mt.

Turkey's iron ore imports reached 2.68 million metric tons (mt) in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 28% increase year-on-year, while the total import value rose by 25.2% to $286.06 million, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). This growth was achieved despite a sharp monthly drop in March, where imports fell 18.7% month-on-month to 785,503 mt (with an import value of $81.82 million, down 23.2% MoM). Brazil consolidated its position as the top supplier in Q1, exporting 1.78 million mt (+26.6% YoY), while Norway entered the market with 499,250 mt and imports from Russia skyrocketed by 224.5% to 339,025 mt, completely offsetting the total absence of volumes from Sweden, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

US exports of plates in coil reached 41,797 metric tons (mt) in March 2026, down 6.5% month-on-month, but representing a robust 58.4% growth compared to the volume exported in March 2025. The monthly export value fell to $45.09 million from February’s $49.38 million, though remaining well above the $29.19 million recorded in March 2025. Cross-border shipments within North America dominated the flow, with Mexico importing 34,884 mt (down from 38,559 mt in February) and Canada taking 6,243 mt, with no other destinations exceeding 1,000 mt.