Consumption among steel end-users stagnated during the Feb. 11-17 holiday while mills continued to produce during the break, Mysteel reported.
“Previously, the market had expectations for better post-holiday demand,” said analysts at Sinosteel Futures in a note, but added demand does not usually pick up until after China’s Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 26.
Shares of BHP and Rio Tinto have gone up by 12.8% and 15.9% YTD respectively
Concerns about tight supply and brightening prospects for demand outside top steel producer China should continue supporting iron ore prices, analysts said.
On Tuesday, BHP Group said it expected a continuation of strong Chinese demand in 2021, and a recovery in global crude steel production.
Shares of BHP and Rio Tinto have gone up by 12.8% and 15.9% YTD respectively. Vale is up 4.7% YTD.
“Not only in China, but the ex-China activity is also picking up to pre-covid levels,” Fortescue Metals Group Chief Executive Elizabeth Gaines said during a media conference call.
“Our view is that the market will remain robust for some time,” Gaines said.
(With files from Reuters)
