2026 first iron ore shipment Simandou to China arrives
In 2026, China's iron ore imports are expected to remain near record levels, the first shipment from Simandou in Guinea arrived at a Chinese port on Saturday, marking a significant milestone to reshape the global steel supply chain.
At the beginning of 2026, the China market of iron ore is shifting toward a structural oversupply. Following a record China iron ore imports of 1.26 billion tons in 2025, imports are forecast to increase by an additional 36 million to 38 million tons in 2026. Look at this recent article from reuters
China, the world's largest iron ore consumer, has received its first shipment of iron ore from the Simandou mine in Guinea. China to diversify its supply by expanding domestic output and investing in overseas mines. that could reduce China’s heavy reliance on traditional mining giants in Australia and Brazil. which imports 80% of its iron ore from Australia and Brazil.
A vessel carrying nearly 200,000 metric tons of iron ore from Simandou arrived in Majishan port in East China's Zhejiang province on January 17 after a 46-day voyage, China Baowu Steel Group, the world's largest steel producer, said in a statement on its WeChat account on Saturday......See more from reuters here
Here's what's interesting and the truth
A historic shift occurred on January 17, 2026, with the arrival of the first 200,000-ton shipment of high-grade ore (65% Fe) from the Simandou project in Guinea. This project is expected to export 18–20 million tons in 2026, reducing China's heavy reliance on Australian and Brazilian supply.
China iron ore import 2026, despite high import volumes, China's domestic steel output reached a seven-year low in 2025, and steel demand is projected to slide further by 1% in 2026. Port stockpiles have ballooned to near four-year highs, exceeding 153 million tons as of early 2026.
High inventory levels and new supply additions are expected to push iron ore prices lower. Analysts forecast spot prices to average roughly $95/t in 2026, with potential dips toward $90/t in the second half of the year.
As iron ore suppliers, you may interested in these important Chinese iron ore trade groups
China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG): Established by the Chinese government to coordinate iron ore purchases, the CMRG is a key entity to engage with. Contact details for relevant bodies can be found through trade associations or industry directories.
Beijing Iron Ore Trading Center Corporation: This is another important platform for market information and potential contacts.
Major Trading Houses: Large, established trading houses (e.g., BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, Glencore, CITIC International) are major players in the market and can be potential partners or a source of information.
If you’re looking to:
Connect with Chinese importers importing iron ore, and pushing your iron ore trade into next-level of China market
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Build partnerships aligned to R&D acceleration, strategic investment, manufacturing scale-up and go-to-market collaboration, you’ll have opportunities to turn conversations into partnerships.
For iron ore suppliers, iron ore producers, iron ore exporters, need help contacting Chinese importers for iron ore? get in touch! The List of Chinese importers for iron ore in China is available upon request, please contact China.org, get your copy of this top quality of iron ore Chinese importers, trade your iron ore to China.
