Seaborne prices for iron ore concentrate, pellets rise despite limited liquidity

Seaborne iron ore concentrate and pellet prices rose again in the week ended Friday August 21 amid rising futures despite a weakening of demand, sources told Fastmarkets.

Fastmarkets iron ore indices
66% Fe concentrate, cfr Qingdao: $130 per tonne, up $4.75 per tonne
65% Fe blast furnace pellet, cfr Qingdao: $139.27 per tonne, up $5.13 per tonne
Key drivers
Market participants said that the surge in the iron ore futures market during the week had pushed up prices for concentrate and pellets. But buyers were unconvinced and put up resistance, which kept liquidity thin.

"Both the iron ore 62% Fe and 65% Fe swaps strengthened during the week, and the bullish sentiment in iron ore fines segment pushed up prices for concentrate as well. But the high prices resulted in a drop in liquidity. It was hard to conclude...

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