MMI Daily Iron Ore Index Report April 13 2026
Chinese iron ore and steelmaking prices
Today DCE Iron ore futures experienced notable activity in the aŌernoon session, with the primary contract I2609
closing at 763 yuan per tonne, representing a 1.26% increase from the previous trading session. Spot prices rose by 5 to 8 yuan per tonne compared to the previous day. Traders engaged actively in quoting prices; however, steel mills approached purchasing with caution, resulting in generally sluggish spot trading. In terms of fundamental data, SMM survey results indicate that last week, China’s iron ore arrivals increased by 2.71 million tonnes week-on-week, reaching a total of 27.13 million tonnes, which is a 10.1% rise. Globally, total shipments increased by 15.8% week-on-week, amounting to 33.71 million tonnes. As Australian ports recovered from cyclone impacts and returned to normal operations, shipments from this region increased significantly, supporting a short-term outlook characterised by a broadly loose supply environment. Looking ahead, with domestic blast furnace utilisation rates at their peak, iron ore demand remains strong. Additionally, the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations and the US government’s orders for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have introduced increased uncertainty into Middle Eastern geopolitical developments. Market expectations for energy prices have further provided cost support for iron ore. Considering these factors, it is anticipated that iron ore prices this week will experience fluctuations with a slight upward trend.
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