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World - Iron Ores And Concentrates - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

World - Iron Ores And Concentrates - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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Feb 25, 2022

Global Iron Ore Market: Boosting Production to Stop Price Rally This Year

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Iron Ores And Concentrates - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Iron ore prices are forecast to drop by 20% y/y to $130 per ton in 2022 thanks to rising supply. According to World Bank, the average annual price for iron ore was $162 per ton in 2021, 48% more than in the previous year.

IndexBox estimates based on the World Steel Association and USGS data indicate that global iron ore production increased by 5% y/y to 2.6B tons in 2021 due to steel demand recovered from the pandemic. U.S. ore output soared by 21% y/y to 46M tons, while production in Canada and India spiked by 13% y/y to 68M tons and 18% y/y to 240M tons, respectively. Iron ore mining in South Africa grew by 10% y/y to 61M tons. Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine also recorded increases in iron ore output.

Global finished steel consumption surged by 4.5% y/y to 1.85B tons in 2021. This year, this figure is forecast to rise by 2.2% y/y to nearly 1.9B tons.

Global Iron Ore Exports

In 2020, global iron ore exports rose modestly to 1.6B tons, surging by 4.5% on the year before. In value terms, supplies skyrocketed from $118.3B to $142.3B.

Australia was the major exporter of iron ores and concentrates in the world, with the volume of exports recording 869M tons, which was approx. 54% of total supplies in 2020. It was distantly followed by Brazil (335M tons), achieving a 21% share of total exports. South Africa (65M tons), Canada (55M tons), India (52M tons), Ukraine (46M tons), Sweden (27M tons), and Russia (26M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

In value terms, Australia ($80.2B) remains the largest iron ore supplier worldwide, comprising 56% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Brazil ($25.8B), with an 18% share of the total value. It was followed by South Africa, with a 4.3% share.

In 2020, the annual rate of growth in terms of value in Australia amounted to +20.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+13.7% per year) and South Africa (+5.8% per year).

Top Iron Ore Importers

China dominates iron ore imports, finishing at nearly 1.2B tons, which was approx. 75% of total supplies in 2020. Japan (99M tons) held a 6.4% share of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Korea (4.5%). The following importers - Germany (34M tons) and the Netherlands (24M tons) - each recorded a 3.7% share of total volume.

In value terms, China ($118.9B) constitutes the largest market for imported iron ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising 75% of global purchases. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($9.7B), with a 6.1% share of global imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 4.4% share.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global iron ore market. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • Prodcom 07101000 - Iron ores and concentrates (excluding roasted iron pyrites)
  • Prodcom 07101010 -
  • Prodcom 07101020 -

Country coverage:

Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries:

+ the largest producing countries

Data coverage:

  • Global market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Global production, split by region and country
  • Global trade (exports and imports)
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Company coverage:

Vale, Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue Metals Group, Anglo American, Astra Resources, Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation, Exxaro, Ferrexpo, Ferrous Resources, Glencore, Great Snaefell Mining Company, IRC Limited, Ingulets Iron Ore dressing Works, Kumba Iron Ore, LKAB, Maughold Head Mining Company, Mobarakeh Steel Company, Northland Resources, Severstal, Stoilensky GOK

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. 11. COUNTRY PROFILES

    The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    • United States
    • China
    • Japan
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Brazil
    • Italy
    • Russian Federation
    • India
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Republic of Korea
    • Spain
    • Mexico
    • Indonesia
    • Netherlands
    • Turkey
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Switzerland
    • Sweden
    • Nigeria
    • Poland
    • Belgium
    • Argentina
    • Norway
    • Austria
    • Thailand
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Colombia
    • Denmark
    • South Africa
    • Malaysia
    • Israel
    • Singapore
    • Egypt
    • Philippines
    • Finland
    • Chile
    • Ireland
    • Pakistan
    • Greece
    • Portugal
    • Kazakhstan
    • Algeria
    • Czech Republic
    • Qatar
    • Peru
    • Romania
    • Vietnam

  12. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022–2024
    5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    11. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)

  13. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Consumption, by Country, 2024
    4. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    5. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    6. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    7. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    8. Exports and Growth, By Product
    9. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    10. Production Volume and Growth
    11. Exports and Growth
    12. Export Prices and Growth
    13. Market Size and Growth
    14. Per Capita Consumption
    15. Imports and Growth
    16. Import Prices
    17. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    18. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    19. Production, by Country, 2024
    20. Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    21. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    26. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    27. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    28. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    32. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)

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