𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡™ provides price assessments for Iron ore across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- Iron ore 62%min., FOB Brisbane, Australia
- Iron Ore 62% min, CIF Qingdao, China
- Iron ore 64%,-10mm, Ex Bailadila, India
South America
- Iron Ore 65% min, FOB Santos, Brazil
Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions.
Iron ore Price Trend Q4 2025
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the global iron ore market unfolded with notable divergences, propelled by ramped mine outputs, charter rate stabilizations, and mismatched mill intakes across geographies. Australia and Brazil underpinned firmness through high-volume Pilbara and Northern System cargoes, sustaining seaborne benchmarks amid steady Chinese port rotations. India diverged downward on prolific domestic mining and subdued pellet premiums, illustrating producer gains against consumer restraint in a polarized setting.
Iron ore 62%min., FOB Brisbane, Australia
The price trend of iron ore from Australia rose by 1.8% in Q4 2025, supported by consistent Dampier loadings of Pilbara 62% Fe blends into China, where IODEX CFR averaged above $100/dmt buoyed by steel restocking. Operational efficiencies at Rio Tinto and BHP assets offset weather interruptions, with blend adjustments to lower grades aiding volume flows. Chinese port inventories stabilized post-peak draws, while European and Southeast bids provided supplementary lift amid Vale disruptions. FOB premiums held versus CFR benchmarks on freight containment, reinforcing exporter leverage. Iron ore prices from Australia rose by 2.8% in December 2025 as shipment schedules accelerated into quarter-end clearances. Buyer prefunding for lunar adjustments sustained bids, thinning spot availability from majors. Voyage economics favored Capesize economics, amplifying the close amid positive DCE positioning.
Iron Ore 65% min, FOB Santos, Brazil
The price trend of iron ore from Brazil rose by 1.6% in Q4 2025, propelled by Carajas premium fines securing Asian slots despite logistics strains from rainy season ramps at Ponta da Madeira. Vale’s high-Fe offerings captured value in optimized sinter blends, countering softer Itabirites in balanced portfolios. Chinese majors locked seasonal volumes early, insulating against Australian weather risks. Atlantic reroutes to India and Europe added diversity, with FOB Tubarao metrics tracking CFR upticks. Iron ore prices from Brazil rose by 1.6% in December 2025 mirroring steady export cadences without major halts. Mill contracts absorbed bulk, leaving fines parcels for opportunistic trades. Competitiveness versus rivals held on quality metrics, cementing the incremental advance.
Iron Ore 62% min, CIF Qingdao (Australia), China
The price trend of iron ore in China rose by 3.6% in Q4 2025, reflecting robust CFR arrivals offsetting crude steel curbs, with DCE futures rallying on speculative longs amid policy ambiguity. Tangshan inventories drew selectively for long products, while coastal mills chased discounts on mid-Fe parcels. Brazilian and Australian super premiums rotated into blends, stabilizing PMI readings above contraction. Imported pellet premiums narrowed versus lump on supply comforts, aiding ferroalloy chains. Iron ore prices in China rose by 2.6% in December 2025 as import volumes peaked quarterly highs versus tempered steel throughput. Traders unwound hedges into physicals, pressuring domestic spot fines lower in tandem. Stimulus whispers propped sentiment, forestalling deeper corrections.
Iron ore 64%, -10mm, Ex Bailadila, India
The price trend of iron ore in India declined by 3.2% in Q4 2025, pressured by NMDC Bailadila overflows into auctions amid pellet plant satiation and Odisha export curbs. Domestic steel majors pared spot buys on captive security, with EX-Goa metrics softening on weak China reroutes. Monsoon receded but infra tenders lagged budget nods, muting sponge and DRI feeds. FOB Paradip discounts widened to lure Vietnamese tonnage, underscoring oversupply signals. Iron ore prices in India held flat at 0.0% change in December 2025 despite NMDC output surges to 5.4 million mt. Sales aligned production at elevated clips, saturating merchant channels without premium erosion. Static steel inquiries offshore capped downside, stabilizing the even close.



