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

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

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Iron ore market

Iron ore market: get access to the latest data empowered by an Ai-driven BI platform. Data include trade, exports, market prices, consumption, production, imports, market size, and companies. Here is a breakdown by country, including Russia, Africa, EU, the U.S., Latin America, the Middle East, China, and the U.K. Market trends and forecast to 2030 are also featured in the snapshots.

Iron Ore - World's Largest Markets

RatingCountry
1China
2Australia
3Russia
4Japan
5South Korea

In value terms, China, Australia and Russia constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2020, together accounting for 77% of the global market.

Australia recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size, among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while iron ore market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Iron Ore Prices

Lowest Prices - FOB - Top Exporters

COUNTRY201820192020CAGR,
2018-2020
USD per ton
India55687416.0%
Brazil52657520.1%
Russia839478-3.1%
Ukraine7985927.9%
Australia67799217.2%
South Africa67869317.8%
Canada86951039.4%
Sweden1011161146.2%
Average65778816.8%

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Sweden ($114 per ton), while India ($74 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2018 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Highest Prices - CIF - Top Importers

COUNTRY201820192020CAGR,
2018-2020
USD per ton
Germany799310917.5%
Netherlands577310435.1%
China559310236.2%
South Korea59799828.9%
Japan61869726.1%
Average609110130.1%

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($109 per ton) and the Netherlands ($104 per ton), while Japan ($97 per ton) and South Korea ($98 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2018 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Iron Ore - Top Importers

COUNTRY201820192020CAGR,
2018-2020
billion USD
China5610011945.3%
Japan7.1109.716.7%
South Korea4.35.76.926.9%
Germany2.93.13.712.6%
Netherlands1.31.62.538.6%

In value terms, China ($118.9B) constitutes the largest market for imported iron ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising 74% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($9.7B), with a 6% share of global imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 4.3% share.

In China, iron ore imports expanded at an average annual rate of +45.3% over the period from 2018-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+16.7% per year) and South Korea (+26.9% per year).

Iron Ore - Top Exporters

COUNTRY201820192020CAGR,
2018-2020
billion USD
Australia56668020.2%
Brazil20232612.9%
South Africa4.35.86.119.5%
Canada4.14.95.717.9%
Ukraine2.93.44.221.6%

In value terms, Australia ($80.2B) remains the largest iron ore supplier worldwide, comprising 55% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Brazil ($25.8B), with a 18% share of global exports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 4.2% share.

In Australia, iron ore exports expanded at an average annual rate of +20.2% over the period from 2018-2020. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+12.9% per year) and South Africa (+19.5% per year).

Iron Ore - Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for iron ore worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of for the period from 2020 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to by the end of 2030.

Iron Ore - Top Companies

Jiangxi Wushishan Iron Ore Mine, BHP BILLITON MINERALS PTY LTD, BHP BILLITON DIRECT REDUCED IRON PTY. LTD., BHP BILLITON LIMITED, BHP BILLITON IRON ORE PTY. LTD., Vale S/A, Ansteel Group Gongchangling Mining Company Subordinate Enterprise Company, VEDANTA LIMITED, HAMERSLEY IRON PTY. LIMITED, CHICHESTER METALS PTY LTD, FMG SOLOMON PTY LTD, FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LTD, HAMERSLEY HOLDINGS LIMITED, PILBARA IRON COMPANY (SERVICES) PTY LTD, HINDUSTAN ZINC LIMITED, HAMERSLEY IRON - YANDI PTY LIMITED, ASSMANG LTD, Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., MITSUI & CO. MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD

Iron Ore - Product Coverage

  • HS 260111 - Iron ores and concentrates; non-agglomerated
  • HS 260112 - Iron ores and concentrates; agglomerated (excluding roasted iron pyrites)

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 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 Edition PRO
  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY
    3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    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 Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    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. GLOBAL PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
    2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY
  8. 8. GLOBAL IMPORTS

    The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
  9. 9. GLOBAL EXPORTS

    The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
  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, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption, By Country, 2018–2024
    5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Import Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    11. Export Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
  13. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Consumption, By Country, 2024
    4. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    5. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    6. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    7. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    8. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    9. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    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, 2012–2024
    18. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    19. Production, By Country, 2024
    20. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    21. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    22. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    26. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    28. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    32. Export Prices, 2012–2024
Store
Blog
Event
Rio Tinto and Glencore: Renewed Merger Talks Signal Shift in Mining Landscape
Jan 18, 2025
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Discover the implications of renewed merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore, signaling a shift in the global mining landscape.

Iron Ore Prices Surge on Lower Shipments and Dollar Weakness
Jan 16, 2025
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Iron ore prices rise to a four-week high due to reduced shipments from Rio Tinto, a weaker dollar, and a potential uptick in steel demand.

Rio Tinto Reports Slight Decline in Q4 Iron Ore Shipments
Jan 16, 2025
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Rio Tinto's Q4 2024 iron ore shipments saw a slight decline due to reduced demand from China, aligning with market expectations. The company's annual exports remained strong, and it continues to advance growth projects globally.

Fortescue Partners with China Baowu Steel for Green Steel Production
Jan 8, 2025
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Fortescue collaborates with China Baowu to tackle steel decarbonization via green iron technology, targeting full transition by 2030.

BHP and Rio Tinto Unite for Australia's Largest Electric Furnace
Dec 17, 2024
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BHP and Rio Tinto partner with BlueScope Steel to build Australia's largest electric iron-making furnace, aiming to lower emissions significantly and transform the steel industry.

Global Iron Ore Outlook: Weakness Expected to Persist Beyond 2025
Nov 25, 2024
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Explore the persistent weakness in the global iron ore market expected beyond 2025, driven by sluggish demand and robust supply. Key insights include Fitch Solutions' outlook on prices, China's steel production challenges, and global supply trends.

Iron Ore Prices Predicted to Fall Below $100 Amidst Weak Chinese Demand
Nov 19, 2024
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Analysts predict iron ore prices will fall below $100 as China struggles to stimulate its economy, affecting global demand and supply dynamics.

The World's Best Import Markets for Iron Ore
Dec 12, 2023
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Explore the top import markets for iron ore, including China, Japan, South Korea, and more. Learn about the key statistics and import values of these countries. Discover valuable insights using the IndexBox market intelligence platform.

Global Iron Ore Market: Boosting Production to Stop Price Rally This Year
Feb 25, 2022
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Iron ore prices are forecast to drop by 20% y/y to $130 per ton in 2022 due to rising global production. 

Free Data: Iron Ores And Concentrates - World