Iron ore is the basic input of steel production.´

It is estimated that, in 2015, 2.1 billion tons of iron ore were produced around the world. Of this total, approximately two thirds were sold at the seaborne market. Australia, Brazil and South Africa are the largest exporters, accounting together for more than 85% of the global seaborne volume.

On the demand side, China is the largest importer. After starting the past decade with a share of less than 20%, China now accounts for 70% of the seaborne imports of iron ore. This transformation was driven by strong economic growth, which stimulated investments in infrastructure and construction, boosting the local production of steel.

With a large steel capacity, Japan, South Korea and Europe are considered mature markets, where lower growth rates are offset by a consistent demand pattern. Altogether, these markets represent 20% of international trade of raw materials.

CSN Mining is the sixth largest exporter of iron ore in the world, serving customers in Asia, Europe, North America and Brazil (for more information, click here).