Iron Ore & Steel
China’s iron ore imports will fall to 50% of consumption by 2030, says think tank
Source: Mining
Imported iron ore will account for half of China’s total consumption by 2030 as domestic supply grows and there is more use of scrap steel, an analyst from a think tank of state-backed China Mineral Resources Group said on Tuesday. FULL STORY
Disconnect between Chinese iron ore imports and steel production widens
Source: Break wave advisors
Chinese iron ore imports continue to grow even as domestic steel output weakens, driving port inventories toward record highs. Until Simandou’s accelerating ramp-up is offset by cuts elsewhere in the supply chain, the inventory overhang is set to deepen, complicating the demand outlook for traditional exporters. FULL STORY
China’s steel industry continues to lag even as industrial output rises in Jan-May’26
Source: Big Mint
- Property slump deepens as real estate investment falls 16.2% y-o-y in Jan-May’26
- Infrastructure investment slows to 0.6%, manufacturing investment slips into negative territory
- Steel exports rise in May, but trade barriers, Iran’s export return cloud outlook
China-Australia mining cooperation expands amid green transition
Source: China Daily Asia
PERTH, Australia – Cooperation between Chinese and Australian companies across the mining value chain is expanding beyond traditional iron ore trade into mine decarbonization, ore beneficiation, green steel and renewable energy applications, as the global mining industry accelerates its transition toward lower-carbon production. FULL STORY
China’s Critical Metal Imports Surge 60% Amid Tightened Export Controls, Roiling Global Markets
Source: Vibe Trader
China has significantly increased its imports of critical metals, with customs data showing a 60% year-on-year surge in import volume, according to a Nikkei analysis of trade data [1]. This strategic move comes as Beijing maintains strict export controls on key metals such as tungsten, gallium, and rare earth elements, while simultaneously ramping up purchases from global sources [1]. Tungsten, essential for electronics, defense, and industrial applications, is a focal point of these imports, with China notably increasing its tungsten imports from North Korea, one of the few countries willing to export to China amid international sanctions. FULL STORY
China’s demand for iron ore leads to first weekly increase in seven weeks
Source: Energy News
The price of iron ore rose on Friday, erasing earlier losses. It was set to be the first weekly gain for seven weeks as traders covered their short positions amid resilient consumer demand in China. FULL STORY
EU announces new steel import quotas in order to protect the industry from overcapacity
Source: Energy News
The European Commission announced quotas for the new system to limit duty-free imports of steel into the EU. This move was aimed at protecting the steel industry in the bloc and increasing its capacity utilization. FULL STORY
Sources: Brazil’s CSN is in discussions with China’s iron ore state buyer
Source: Energy News
Two’sources’ with knowledge of the matter said that CSN Mineracao, a Brazilian miner and steelmaker, is in talks to establish a supply deal with China’s iron ore buyer. This is another sign that Beijing wants to tighten up its control over iron ore prices. China Mineral Resources Group plans to become the exclusive agent for some of CSN’s Iron Ore cargoes that are sold in China, according to one source. This is similar to a deal struck with Roy Hill (now part of Australia’s Hancock Prospecting). China Mineral Resources Group has negotiated better sales terms between steelmakers and miners in its deals with other companies, such as BHP. FULL STORY
Iron ore miners look to India and ASEAN for growth as they seek alternatives to China
Source: Energy News
Iron ore miner’s in Australia stressed on Tuesday that a?growing demand for steel in India and Southeast Asia?would offset the stagnating markets in China and other top customers. FULL STORY
Top iron ore miners seek Canberra’s assistance in price war with China
Source: Energy news
Senior government officials revealed on Friday that major miners and their representatives have asked Canberra to help them push back against China’s attempts to get better terms for their iron ore. They also raised the possibility of a single selling desk, Australia’s largest commodity export. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China mines’ iron ore output, stocks both rise
Source: Mysteel
Production of iron ore concentrates among Chinese mining companies continued to edge higher over the past week, driven by resumed operations at some mines in North and East China, Mysteel’s latest survey showed. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China’s iron ore port stocks rise for 5th week
Source: Mysteel
Inventories of imported iron ore at China’s 47 major ports under Mysteel’s tracking increased further to reach 175.44 million tonnes as of June 25, up 2.33 million tonnes or 1.3% on week and marking the fifth consecutive week of rises, according to the latest survey results. Compared with the level a year ago, the current port-side stocks were also higher by 21.2%. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China mills’ import iron ore usage, stocks both rebound
Source: Mysteel
Chinese steelmakers have ramped up their iron ore consumption in recent days to support strong hot metal production, according to the latest survey data from Mysteel. The combination of resilient demand and softening prices has encouraged mills to accelerate their procurement of the raw material, Mysteel Global observed. FULL STORY
Iron ore shipments to China via Port Hedland rise 14% MoM in May
Source: Mysteel
Iron ore shipments from Port Hedland — Western Australia’s largest export terminal — to China reached 43.7 million tonnes in May, up 13.7% on month and marking the highest level since July 2025, according to new data released by the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA). FULL STORY
China Baowu, Rio Tinto succeed in low-carbon steelmaking trials using Pilbara iron ore
Source: Mysteel
China Baowu Steel Group, the world’s largest steelmaker, and Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, have completed industrial-scale trials demonstrating that mid-grade iron ore from Western Australia’s Pilbara region can be used in hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) production, according to a press release by Rio Tinto on Friday. FULL STORY
China restricts some Fortescue iron ore cargoes as talks drag, sources say
Source: Reuters
China’s state iron ore buyer has asked some domestic steel mills not to take delivery of certain portside iron ore products from Fortescue (FMG.AX), opens new tab, industry sources said, the latest Australian miner to fall foul of Beijing’s push to increase control over the market. FULL STORY
Coal
China coal market faces tighter domestic supply ahead of summer
Source: The Coal Hub
Among the key themes covered in this latest China energy market update, the China coal market section examines how tighter domestic supply, mine safety inspections and stronger summer electricity demand could support renewed seaborne coal imports. FULL STORY
Russian coal exports to China drop 21.1% in Jan-May 2026
Source: The Coal Hub
Russian coal exports are facing growing pressure from logistics costs, sanctions and weakening margins in the Chinese market.
In January-May 2026, Russian coal supplies to China dropped to 28.1 mio t (-7.5 mio t or -21.1% vs. Jan-May 2025), according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). FULL STORY
Met coal market volatility rises as China supply concerns unsettle trade
Source: The Coal Hub
In its latest metallurgical coal market update, McCloskey highlighted how developments in China drove sharp swings in both futures and physical markets, prompting renewed interest in seaborne supply and supporting higher prices for premium hard coking coal. FULL STORY
Column: Asia’s thermal coal imports jump on China, Japan, S.Korea buying
Source: Mining
Asia’s imports of seaborne thermal coal are rebounding as China boosts purchases to compensate for soft domestic output and Japan and South Korea seek energy security amid the fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran. FULL STORY
DAILY: China’s portside thermal coal slides as stockpiles accumulate
Source: Mysteel
China’s thermal coal market continued its downward trend on July 2, as Bohai Rim port inventories kept building, despite forecasts of a major heatwave expected to sweep across northern China in the coming days. FULL STORY
DAILY: China’s thermal coal market drifts lower at both mines and ports
Source: Mysteel
Downward pressure continued gripping northern China’s thermal coal market on June 30, spanning both mines and ports. In key producing regions, the long truck queues that had clogged roads weeks earlier have thinned drastically. Meanwhile, mine output stayed steady, though sales lagged noticeably. FULL STORY
China’s new energy plan sets coal consumption peak, reinforces top five supply bases
Source: Mysteel
China’s top economic planner and energy regulator released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a New Energy System on June 25, laying out the country’s energy goals through 2030. Coal consumption will peak during this period, but the government is also doubling down on its five major coal supply bases to keep the fuel as a safety reserve. FULL STORY
WEEKLY: China’s coking coal trade slows on softer sentiment
Source: Mysteel
China’s coking coal trade slowed over June 22-26, evidenced by the failure rates of online auctions under Mysteel’s tracking which surged to their highest levels in the past five weeks. The thinning transactions reflected a sentiment ebb among players, as the steel sector’s increasingly tepid performance has fueled concerns about future metallurgical coal and coke demand, according to Mysteel’s latest survey. FULL STORY
China watches as a massive coking coal mine commissions next door
Source: Mysteel
Chinese buyers and consumers of coking coal have another overseas source to add to their supply chain, one that is massive and conveniently located in neighboring Mongolia that could have the potential to disrupt the present market structure though not in the short term. FULL STORY
GACC: China’s May thermal coal imports plunge 22% YoY
Source: Mysteel
China’s thermal coal imports fell 22.1% year on year in May to 21.3 million tonnes, despite a modest 2% rebound from April’s near 38-month low, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) on June 22. FULL STORY
GACC: China’s coking coal imports soar 50.9% YoY in May
Source: Mysteel
China imported 11.15 million tonnes of coking coal from all sources in May, soaring 50.9% from the same month last year despite a slight fall of 1.4% from April, according to the latest data from the country’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). FULL STORY
Grain
China and Brazil’s blueprint for a shared future
Source: China Daily
Brazil was the top destination for Chinese capital in 2025, attracting $6.1 billion in 52 Chinese investments. This was 45 percent more than the previous year, as highlighted in a report published by the Brazil-China Business Council recently. FULL STORY
China focuses on high-value agri exports
Source: China Daily
China is expected to shift its agricultural trade toward higher-value exports and more diversified markets during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) to enhance competitiveness, according to a newly released industry report. FULL STORY
COFCO, Patria exploring sustainable ag in Brazil
Source: World Grain
COFCO International is exploring sustainable agricultural supply chains and carbon removal credits in Brazil through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it has signed with the Patria Reforest Fund, a fund managed by Patria Investments. FULL STORY
COFCO, Thanakorn to expand trade in sustainable soy
Source: World Grain
COFCO International is partnering with Thailand’s Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products to expand trade in certified sustainable soybeans and soy-based products. FULL STORY
China’s state-owned firms buy US soybeans, while private traders focus on Brazil
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
China’s soybean import model shows a more complex structure than is commonly assumed in the market. State-owned companies primarily fulfill political commitments to purchase US soybeans, while private crushers and international traders continue to rely on Brazilian supplies. FULL STORY
China’s vegetable oil market expands on record palm oil imports
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
China’s vegetable oil imports reached 500,000 tonnes in May 2026, up 8.2% year-on-year. According to customs data, cumulative imports for January–May totaled 2.93 million tonnes, marking a 17.5% increase from the same period last year. Despite the overall growth, trends varied significantly among different oil categories. FULL STORY
US seeks to regain lost ground in China’s soybean market
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
The United States and Brazil are intensifying competition for China’s soybean market, the world’s largest. Amid ongoing trade tensions, the share of U.S. suppliers has declined significantly, while Brazil has strengthened its position as the leading exporter of the oilseed to China. FULL STORY
Brazil’s bet on China for soybean exports could prove risky
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
For several months, Beijing’s push to increase domestic food production was viewed in Brazil as a slow-moving but long-term risk rather than an immediate threat. However, recent developments suggest that the shift in China’s import strategy may be happening sooner than expected, raising concerns among major agricultural exporters. FULL STORY
Chinese buyers snap up Indonesian palm oil before export revamp
Source: OFI
China is snapping up discounted cargoes of Indonesian palm oil as buyers take advantage of lower prices following Jakarta’s overhaul of its commodity export system, according to a Business Times report citing a Bloomberg article. FULL STORY
China’s soybean imports fell by 15% in May
Source: Ukr Agro Consult
In May, the country imported 11.79 million tonnes of soybeans, a 15.3% decrease from the same month a year earlier (13.92 million tonnes). However, this volume exceeded market expectations of around 11 million tonnes, Reuters reports, citing data from the General Administration of Customs of China. FULL STORY
SunSirs: China’s Soybean Import Data for May 2026 Released
Source: Sun Sirs
The latest customs data shows that in May 2026, my country imported 1.66 million tonnes of soybeans from the United States, a 2.1% increase from the 1.63 million tonnes imported during the same period last year; imports from Brazil totaled 9.96 million tonnes, a 17.8% decrease from the 12.11 million tonnes recorded a year earlier. For the January–May period, cumulative imports from the U.S. stood at 8.38 million tonnes (down 42.5% year-on-year), while imports from Brazil reached 22.68 million tonnes (up 6.7% year-on-year). FULL STORY
SunSirs: Surge in China Soybean Imports and Impact on Soybean Meal Market in May
Source: Sun Sirs
China’s soybean imports reached 11.791 million tonnes in May 2026, a month-on-month increase of nearly 40% from the 8.478 million tonnes recorded in April. With abundant domestic soybean supplies and sufficient raw materials for crushing, expectations for increased soybean meal supply are exerting downward pressure on prices. On June 9, 2026, the benchmark soybean meal futures contract (2609) closed at 2,895 RMB/tonne—down 4 RMB from the previous trading day—with open interest decreasing by 28,274 lots; the market is trading weakly, and spot prices are expected to face similar downward pressure. FULL STORY
Energy
China’s oil imports continue to decline as volumes in May hit an eight-year low
Source: World Energy News
China’s crude imports in May fell 29%, to the lowest level?in 8 years. This is a continuation of a sharp drop that has been seen by the world’s largest oil importer. FULL STORY
SunSirs: China’s Crude Oil Imports Drop on Both Monthly and Yearly Bases in May 2026
Source: Sun Sirs
According to data released by the online customs statistics inquiry platform, China’s crude oil imports totaled 33,080,767.18 tonnes in May 2026, marking a month-on-month decline of 14.01% and a year-on-year drop of 28.96%. FULL STORY
Russell: Crude oil imports to Asia from the ROI grew in June, but there is still uncertainty
Source: Energy News
Asia’s crude oil imports by sea rose slightly in June, but they remained near their lowest levels in over a decade due to the Iran conflict which crimped Middle East shipments. FULL STORY
China’s refined oil exports to Australia in May rose from April despite restrictions
Source: World Energy News
China’s gasoline, diesel, and jet-fuel exports to major destinations in Southeast Asia and South Asia increased from April, but they were still a significant amount less than one year earlier because of export restrictions imposed due to the Iran War to protect domestic supply. FULL STORY
China’s oil throughput in May falls to a nearly four-year low
Source: World Energy News
China’s crude oil throughput fell 9.1% in May compared to a year ago, according to official data released on Tuesday. The country’s refineries were forced to cut back on production due high crude prices and the U.S./Israeli war against Iran.FULL STORY
Saudi Crude Supply to China Remain at Record Low in July
Source: World Energy News
Saudi Arabia’s crude oil sales to China are expected to stay at record lows in July as elevated prices in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran continue to weigh on demand from the world’s largest crude importer, sources familiar with the matter said.FULL STORY
China purchases LNG after Iran shock: Russell
Source: World Energy News
China, the top consumer of liquefied natural gases in Asia, is showing signs of returning to market.FULL STORY
SunSirs: China’s Crude Oil Imports Drop on Both Monthly and Yearly Bases in May 2026
Source: Sun Sirs
According to data released by the online customs statistics inquiry platform, China’s crude oil imports totaled 33,080,767.18 tonnes in May 2026, marking a month-on-month decline of 14.01% and a year-on-year drop of 28.96%.FULL STORY