China state iron ore buyer signs annual supply deal with Anglo American, China; April deal confirmed by three sources

Bulk Shipping Watch Newsletter – August 2026

China state iron ore buyer has supply deal with Anglo American, sources say

China’s state iron ore buyer reached an agreement with Anglo American AAL.L in April over an annual supply contract for the key steelmaking ingredient, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Friday. FULL STORY

CMRG tells some steel mills to halt talks with Rio Tinto, sources say

China’s state iron ore buyer has directed some steel mills to halt negotiations with Rio Tinto (ASX, LON: RIO) for shipments from September, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, escalating pressure on the world’s top iron ore producer during annual supply talks. FULL STORY

Sinomine wins additional Zimbabwe Lithium export quota

Sinomine Resource Group announced that it had secured an export quota of ‘another 300,000 metric tonnes of ‘lithium -concentrate’ from Zimbabwe. FULL STORY

Russell: Divergent demand factors are driving China’s steel production

The fact that China’s steel production dropped to its lowest level this year in July supports the idea that the world’s second largest economy struggles for growth momentum. FULL STORY

WEEKLY: Aust., Brazilian iron ore shipments rebound 7.6% WoW

After a short-lived dip in the previous week, the total volume of iron ore dispatched to global destinations from the 20 ports and 17 mining companies in Australia and Brazil rebounded by 2 million tonnes or 7.6% on week to reach 27.8 million tonnes during August 24-30, with the shipments increasing from both countries, according to Mysteel’s tracking. FULL STORY

MONTHLY: China’s import iron ore prices to strengthen in Sept

Although fundamentals in China’s imported iron ore market are set to soften in September amid seasonally strong shipments, prices of the key steelmaking raw material are still expected to increase, supported by improving steel demand and likely pre-holiday stockpiling by steel mills, according to Mysteel’s latest monthly report on the commodity. FULL STORY

WEEKLY: China miners’ iron ore output, stocks both rise

After a temporary retreat in the previous week, production of iron ore concentrates among Chinese mining companies rebounded again during August 21-27, with mine-side inventories rising in parallel, Mysteel’s survey showed. FULL STORY

Steel sector makes strides in profitability

China’s steel industry is stepping up efforts to establish a practical self-regulatory framework aimed at enhancing profitability and improving operational quality through a more regulated production mechanism. FULL STORY

WEEKLY: China’s iron ore port stocks largely stable

Inventories of imported iron ore stockpiled at China’s 47 major ports stood at 173.75 million tonnes by August 27, up by a marginal 146,300 tonnes or 0.1% from the previous week. Compared with the year-ago level, the stocks remained 20.8% higher. FULL STORY

China inaugurates new supply base for iron ore in Jiangsu

In a move expected to strengthen regional trading and logistics for iron ore in East China, a new ore supply and processing plant officially started operations on August 21 in Zhenjiang in Jiangsu province, according to a local official media release. FULL STORY

NBS: China’s Jan-July ROM iron ore output falls 9% YoY

China’s run-of-mine (ROM) iron ore production totaled 536.1 million tonnes in the first seven months of this year, down by 8.7% from the same period in 2025, according to the latest statistics from the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). FULL STORY

Brazil’s iron ore exports retreat in July on weaker Chinese demand

Brazil, the world’s second-largest iron ore exporter after Australia, shipped 37.8 million tonnes of the commodity in July, according to preliminary statistics from Comex Stat, a data platform tracking Brazil’s foreign trade in goods. The volume represented a 10.1% decline from June — when exports hit a record high — and a 7.4% fall on year. FULL STORY

Iron ore shipments to China via Port Hedland slump 16% MoM in July

Iron ore shipments to China via Port Hedland — Western Australia’s largest bulk export terminal — dropped sharply in July, falling by a marked 7.3 million tonnes or 16.1% on month to register 37.9 million tonnes, according to data released by the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA). FULL STORY

SimFer ships 2.2 mln t iron ore to China from Simandou in H1 2026

SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of Guinea, Rio Tinto and the Chinalco-led Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH) consortium, has reported continued operational progress at the Simandou iron ore project, with its total iron ore shipments to China reaching 2.2 million tonnes in the first half of 2026. FULL STORY

GACC: China’s iron ore imports in Jan-Jul rise 6% YoY

China imported a total of 736.84 million tonnes of iron ore during January-July this year, up 5.9% compared with the same period last year, the latest statistics released by the country’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) published on August 7 show. FULL STORY

SunSirs: China’s Steel Export Data for July 2026 Released

The latest data from the General Administration of Customs shows that in July 2026, China exported 6.02 million tonnes of steel plates and sheets, down 1.8% year-on-year; the cumulative export volume for the January-July period was 38.26 million tonnes, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9%. In July, China exported 1.92 million tonnes of steel bars, up 20.9% year-on-year; the cumulative export volume for January-July was 11.93 million tonnes, up 12.3% year-on-year. In July, China exported 660,000 tonnes of angle steel and sections, up 0.4% year-on-year; the cumulative export volume for January-July was 4.58 million tonnes, up 4.9% year-on-year. In July, China exported 240,000 tonnes of steel wire rod, down 3.2% year-on-year; the cumulative export volume for January-July was 1.60 million tonnes, down 5.2% year-on-year. FULL STORY

China’s coal production in July falls to levels seen during the pandemic era after a deadly accident

China’s coal production in July fell to levels seen during the pandemic, according to data released by the statistics bureau on Monday. The drop was due to a heightened safety check after a fatal mining accident. FULL STORY

China coal-fired generation to remain significant for the foreseeable future

China coal-fired generation will remain a significant component of the country’s energy system for the foreseeable future, even as renewable power expands at an unprecedented pace. FULL STORY

Russian coal exports to China drop 14.8% in Jan-Jul 2026

Russian coal exports to China continued to weaken in Jan-Jul 2026 as logistics costs, sanctions pressure and stronger competition from other suppliers reduced Russia’s market share. FULL STORY

Russian rail coal exports to China plunge 23.7% in Jan-Jul 2026

Russian coal exports to China by rail declined sharply in Jan-Jul 2026 as weaker demand, domestic competition and weather-related disruption weighed on trade. FULL STORY

China thermal coal imports remain constrained despite strong power demand

China thermal coal demand continues to be supported by rising electricity consumption, but strong domestic production and rapid renewable growth are limiting the need for additional seaborne supply. FULL STORY

China coal power capacity continues to expand despite tighter approvals

China coal power capacity continued to expand during the first half of 2026, with 30 GW of new coal-fired generation entering operation despite tighter scrutiny of new project approvals. FULL STORY

DAILY: China’s top coking coal producer announces fresh mine restarts

Shanxi Coking Coal Energy Group, Co., Ltd., the major listed arm of China’s leading coking coal miner Shanxi Coking Coal Group Co., Ltd., newly announced production resumptions at three coking coal mines under its control during a results briefing held on August 28. FULL STORY

NBS: China coal mining, washing industry profits surge 50% YoY in January-July

The combined profit of major enterprises in China’s coal mining and washing sector reached Yuan 250.85 billion ($36.9 billion) during the first seven months of 2026, rising by 50.4% on year, according to data issued by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 27. FULL STORY

NDRC: China’s summer power load hits record, coal still reigns despite falling share

China’s summer power-supply peak is winding down, with the national grid weathering soaring demand that has hit four all-time load records, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said at its August press conference on Friday. FULL STORY

GACC: Supply fears boost China’s July coking coal imports 42% higher YoY

China’s coking coal imports climbed another 11.8% on month to 13.62 million tonnes in July, notching the second-highest monthly volume on record. The figure also surged 41.7% from a year earlier, according to the General Administration of Customs (GACC). FULL STORY

GACC: China’s July thermal coal imports jump 11% YoY

China’s thermal coal imports slipped 5.3% from June to 27.97 million tonnes in July but were still 11.1% above the year-earlier level, according to data from the General Administration of Customs (GACC) published on August 21. FULL STORY

Soybean trade drives China-US farm ties

Soybeans, carried as ballast on the return voyage from Asia to America some 200 years ago, have become a ballast of China-US agricultural trade. FULL STORY

COFCO ships Brazilian sorghum to China

COFCO International loaded its first large-scale shipment of Brazilian sorghum to China at its STS11 terminal in the Port of Santos and received final phytosanitary clearance from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. FULL STORY

China deal with US gains soybean traction

In May, US President Donald Trump announced a $17 billion agricultural deal with China that featured new commitments to purchase US farm commodities, including a target of 25 million tonnes of soybeans annually. FULL STORY

SunSirs: China Corn Imports Surge Year-on-Year in July

The latest data from the General Administration of Customs shows that China’s imports of corn and corn flour totaled 350,000 tonnes in July 2026, a year-on-year increase of 527.3%. For the period of January to July 2026, cumulative imports reached 1.36 million tonnes, up 61.3% year-on-year. FULL STORY

China’s soybean imports decline in July

Chinese imports of soyabeans eased in July from record levels the previous month, according to General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) data reported on 24 August by commodity price reporting agency Fastmarkets. FULL STORY

SunSirs: China’s Wheat Procurement Exceeds 90 Million Tons

China’s peak season for summer grain procurement is in full swing. The latest data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration shows that grain enterprises nationwide have purchased a cumulative total of over 90 million tons of wheat, while early-season indica rice from southern regions has begun to hit the market in large volumes. Procurement operations are proceeding in an orderly manner across the country, with overall progress running smoothly. FULL STORY

Rising vegetable oil stocks in China put pressure on prices

Commercial inventories of China’s three major vegetable oils continue to rise, putting pressure on domestic spot and futures prices. As of August 21, combined stocks reached 2.55 mln tons, according to China’s National Grain and Material Reserve Data Center. FULL STORY

China increases palm oil imports from Indonesia by 31%

China significantly increased its purchases of Indonesian palm oil in 2026. According to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), shipments to the Chinese market rose by 31% year-on-year in the first half of the year. In June alone, exports to China jumped 67% compared with May. FULL STORY

China more than doubles US soybean imports in July