Italy: Iron Ore Market 2025

Iron Ore Market Size in Italy

In 2021, the Italian iron ore market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a drastic downturn. Iron ore consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Iron Ore Production in Italy

In value terms, iron ore production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a precipitous contraction. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Iron Ore Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2021, the amount of iron ores and concentrates exported from Italy shrank rapidly to X tons, which is down by -99.6% on 2020. Overall, exports, however, recorded slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 115,527%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

In value terms, iron ore exports reduced markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 19,515%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) was the main destination for iron ore exports from Italy, with a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, iron ore exports to Spain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Spain amounted to +67.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+166.1% per year) and Portugal (+120.5% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for iron ores and concentrates exports from Italy, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Spain amounted to +65.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+60.4% per year) and Portugal (+84.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average iron ore export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 680% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Greece (+0.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Iron Ore Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of iron ores and concentrates, when their volume increased by 22% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, iron ore imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a perceptible setback. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Mauritania (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) were the main suppliers of iron ore imports to Italy, together comprising 87% of total imports. These countries were followed by Canada, Liberia, Russia and India, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Liberia (with a CAGR of +51.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest iron ore suppliers to Italy were Brazil ($X), South Africa ($X) and Mauritania ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports. Canada, India, Russia and Liberia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

Liberia, with a CAGR of +62.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average iron ore import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 69% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed noticeable growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Liberia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+13.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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