China's iron ore imports reached 967.8 million tons in the first nine months of 2026, indicating a 4.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The country remains the world's largest importer of iron ore, holding a 75 percent share.
Import and Loading Trends
According to analysts, during this period, 71 percent of the imported iron ore to China was loaded onto large ships (Capesize) with a capacity of 130,000 to 220,000 tons. Additionally, 21 percent of this volume was loaded by Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) with a capacity of over 220,000 tons, and only 3 percent was loaded by Post-Panamaxes.
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In the first nine months of 2026, the main iron ore import terminals in China included Caofeidian with 115.6 million tons, Tangshan/Jingtang with 91.3 million tons, and Lanshan with 81.0 million tons. The ports of Ningbo/Zhoushan and Tianjin loaded 80.9 million tons and 64.1 million tons, respectively.
Import Sources and Comparison with Previous Years
Australia, as the largest source of iron ore imports for China in the first nine months of 2026, accounted for 62.7 percent of the total import volume. Iron ore imports from Australia to China during this period reached 606.5 million tons, showing a 1.9 percent increase compared to 595.0 million tons last year.
Port Hedland in Australia is considered the largest loading port for iron ore to China, with 354.2 million tons. Brazil ranks second with a 21.5 percent market share, and in the first nine months of 2026, iron ore imports from this country increased to 208.3 million tons. In contrast, imports from South Africa decreased by 7.1 percent, reaching 23.4 million tons.
Overall, the statistics indicate an increasing demand for iron ore in China and the country's dependence on foreign sources. This trend could have significant impacts on the global iron ore market and its prices.
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