Dalian iron ore down on Chinese price control

Chinese ferrous futures tumbled on Friday with all products logging losses on the week as coal prices slumped in afternoon trade after the government ordered a cap on benchmark prices.

China’s state planner has set a “reasonable” price range for the benchmark 5,500 kcal thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port for medium and long-term trading at 550-570 yuan ($87-$90) a tonne. 

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Benchmark iron ore futures closed down 3.1% to 681 yuan ($107.8) a tonne on Friday and logged the fourth straight weekly decline.

“There are concerns that the Ukraine-Russia tension could worsen relations between China and the United States, which might hurt steel products exports,” said Cheng Peng, an analyst with SinoSteel Futures.

Meanwhile, Huatai Futures analysts in a note said that the recovery in steel consumption in China had been slow and below market expectations, adding that demand optimism is easing.

Vale executives said on Friday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is expected to influence the price of iron ore pellets, as both countries together account for about 30% of the 120 million tonnes global market.

Ukrainian miner Ferrexpo Plc alone makes up 4% of pellet supply, according to Bloomberg Intelligence, and is suffering rail disruptions.