Report Update May 1, 2025

Saudi Arabia - Iron Ores - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Saudi Arabia: Iron Ore Market 2021

Iron Ore Market Size in Saudi Arabia

For the fourth year in a row, the Saudi iron ore market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by X% to $X in 2019. Overall, consumption saw moderate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Iron ore consumption peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Iron Ore Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2019, overseas shipments of iron ores increased by X% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after seven years of decline. In general, exports recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, iron ore exports rose sharply to $X in 2019. Overall, exports saw a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), China (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons) were the main destinations of iron ore exports from Saudi Arabia, with a combined X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in the Netherlands (+X% per year), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), China ($X) and the Philippines ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for iron ore exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports.

The Netherlands (+X% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average iron ore export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Iron Ore Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2019, approx. X tons of iron ores were imported into Saudi Arabia; picking up by X% on the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2011 to 2019, the growth imports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, iron ore imports reached $X in 2019. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest iron ore supplier to Saudi Arabia, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, iron ore imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Greece (X tons), fivefold.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil amounted to +X%.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of iron ore to Saudi Arabia, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Greece ($X), with a X% share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil stood at +X%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average iron ore import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by X% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a temperate increase from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, iron ore import price increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of X% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the price for Greece stood at $X per ton.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for iron ores in the world?

The country with the largest volume of iron ore consumption was China, comprising approx. 54% of total volume. Moreover, iron ore consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India, eightfold. Australia ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.1% share.

What are the largest producers of iron ores in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of iron ore production in 2019 were Australia, Brazil and China, with a combined 70% share of global production.

What are the leading suppliers of iron ores to Saudi Arabia?

In value terms, Brazil constituted the largest supplier of iron ore to Saudi Arabia, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Greece, with a 14% share of total imports.

What are the leading importers of iron ores from Saudi Arabia?

In value terms, the Netherlands, China and the Philippines constituted the largest markets for iron ore exported from Saudi Arabia worldwide, together accounting for 100% of total exports.

What is the average export price for iron ores in Saudi Arabia?

The average iron ore export price stood at $83 per ton in 2019, growing by 3.3% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for iron ores in Saudi Arabia?

In 2019, the average iron ore import price amounted to $137 per ton, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the iron ore market in Saudi Arabia. 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 2025.

Product coverage:

Country coverage:

Saudi Arabia

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in Saudi Arabia
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

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:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
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. 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. 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. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE
2. MARKET STRUCTURE
3. TRADE BALANCE
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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. 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. 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. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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 In 2012-2024
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
2. Market Value, 2012–2024
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
14. Production Volume And Growth
15. Exports And Growth
16. Export Prices And Growth
17. Market Size And Growth
18. Per Capita Consumption
19. Imports And Growth
20. Import Prices
21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024