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Bulk Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) suppliers and buyers
Bulk Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) producers, manufacturers, traders and buyers post sell offers and buy requests on Comdity and agree the deal directly with each other on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.
About Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets)
Iron ore is the main raw material of steelmaking. It is traded in large bulk cargoes by the dry metric ton; iron (Fe) content, impurities and size decide the price, and most sales are FOB or CFR.
Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) exporters and importers: who trades it in the world
World exports of Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) were worth about USD 162.3 billion in 2024. The largest exporting countries were Australia (53.9%), Brazil (20.8%), Canada (4.1%), South Africa (4.1%). The largest importing countries were China (69.6%), Japan (6.6%), South Korea (4.8%), Netherlands (1.8%).
| Top exporting countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Australia | 53.9% |
| Brazil | 20.8% |
| Canada | 4.1% |
| South Africa | 4.1% |
| India | 1.9% |
| Ukraine | 1.8% |
| Top importing countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| China | 69.6% |
| Japan | 6.6% |
| South Korea | 4.8% |
| Netherlands | 1.8% |
| Chinese Taipei | 1.4% |
| Malaysia | 1.3% |
Source: OEC (BACI/CEPII), 2024, customs codes 2601. The figures count trade by every mode of transport, not only by sea.
What moves the price of Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets)
Iron ore prices depend mainly on steel production in China, which buys most of the seaborne ore, on supply from Australia and Brazil and on freight rates. The iron content matters: higher-grade ore with fewer impurities sells at a premium, lower grades at a discount. Many contracts are priced from published indices for 62 percent iron fines.
Comdity does not publish prices: sellers and buyers agree them directly in their offers.
Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) offers and requests: FOB, CFR and CIF terms available
How trading Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) works on Comdity
A company posts a sell offer or a buy request with the quantity, the delivery period and the ports. Other companies send an offer or a counteroffer on FOB, CFR or CIF terms. When both sides want to go on, they accept the offer, receive each other's contact details and finalise the contract directly. Comdity is a marketplace: it is not a party to the contract.
- FOB (Free On Board): the seller delivers the goods on board at the loading port; the buyer arranges and pays the sea freight.
- CFR (Cost and Freight): the seller pays the sea freight to the discharge port; the buyer carries the risk and the insurance from loading.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): as CFR, and the seller also insures the cargo to the discharge port.
Country guide: Iron Ore Suppliers: Australia, Brazil and the Other Exporters.
Read more: FOB vs CFR vs CIF · offer and counteroffer · how to find commodity suppliers · export and import documents.
Iron Ore (Fines, Lump, Pellets) is normally shipped by bulk carrier. When the terms are agreed, you can explore suitable vessels on Shipfixing.
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