Iron Ore Imports by Taiwan Records Modest Rise in 2017

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest trade statistics released by the Taiwan’s Directorate General of Customs for the full-year 2017 indicates marginal jump in iron ore imports by the country. The yearly imports were up by 0.9% when compared with 2016.

Lump/Fines

The imports of lump/fines by the country totaled 20.667 million tonnes in 2017, slightly lower by 1.8% when matched with imports of 21.055 million tonnes in 2016. The largest exporter of iron ore lump/fines to Taiwan was Australia. The imports from Australia totaled 17.275 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 84% of the total imports during the year. The import price averaged at $72.0 per ton and the value of imports totaled $1.244 billion. The other key import source was Brazil (2.755 million tonnes). The value of imports from Brazil totaled $214.2 million at an average price of $77.7 per ton. Also, Taiwan imported 626,787 tonnes of iron ore from Canada.

Pellets

Brazil was the key pellet exporter to Taiwan during 2017. The pellet imports from Brazil totaled 2.025 million tonnes. The other key suppliers were Canada (830,212 tonnes), Australia (84,719 tonnes) and Ukraine (66,000 tonnes).

Combined Imports

Taiwan’s iron ore imports in 2017 totaled 23.673 million tonnes, marginally higher by 0.9% over the prior year. Taiwan had imported 23.462 million tonnes of iron ore in 2016. The import prices averaged at $77.50 per tonne, nearly 37% higher year-on-year. The country’s ore imports were valued at $1.835 billion, sharply higher by 38% when compared with 2016.

ALSO READ: France Imported 17% More Iron Ore in 2017

The largest exporter of iron ore to Taiwan was Australia. The imports from Australia totaled 17.360 million tonnes, accounting for more than 73% of the total imports. The imports from that country averaged at $72 per tonne. In second place was Brazil with supplies of 421,691 tonnes. Taiwan also imported iron ore mainly from Canada (155,628 tonnes) and Ukraine (7,281 tonnes).