Iron Ore Price Drop Spells Trouble for Australia’s Budget

Australia is facing a financial strain as iron ore prices continue to plummet, putting a $2 billion hole in the national budget.

This downturn is closely tied to economic troubles in China, Australia’s main trade partner, and the world’s largest steel producer. China is currently grappling with a real estate downturn and reduced domestic demand.

As of recently, iron ore, which is crucial for steelmaking and Australia‘s top export, dropped to $81.80 per tonne, a steep 38% decrease from the beginning of the year.

This decline has far surpassed the Australian government’s anticipated price level. If prices fall to $60 per tonne by September, it risks a significant reduction in tax receipts, estimated at about AU$3 billion.

This fiscal scenario comes on top of an already-expected deficit of AU$28.3 billion for the year. The implications of China’s economic health are significant for Australia, given that 85% of its iron ore exports go to China.