India increased iron ore imports in April by 2.6 times y/y

Iron ore imports (including pellets) to India in April 2026 fell by 11% compared to March, to 1 million tons. At the same time, this figure was significantly higher than in April 2025, when imports stood at 0.4 million tons. This was reported by BigMint.

Malaysia and Brazil were the main exporters during the month, with 0.34 million tons and 0.33 million tons, respectively. This supply structure indicates further diversification of suppliers and stable shipments from both Southeast Asian countries and the Atlantic Basin.

The resumption of pellet imports, which are mainly supplied from Oman, in April after a one-month hiatus indicates a partial stabilization of transport routes from the Middle East. At the same time, the overall availability of imported pellets has significantly decreased: in March–April 2026, imports fell to 0.05 million tons compared to 0.35 million tons in January–February.

JSW Steel dominated among buyers, importing 0.79 million tons, which accounted for a significant share of total shipments. JSW Minerals followed with 0.15 million tons, while the remainder was imported by other market participants. This concentration indicates active purchasing by integrated steel producers.

Most Indian mining companies, as well as several integrated steel mills, received renewed environmental permits in April, which improved ore availability in the domestic market. Regular auctions and increased local supply have reduced dependence on imported raw materials. At the same time, many buyers continue to source ore from abroad due to the need for specific ore grades.

The total available capacity under the environmental permits of Indian mining companies has increased from 520 million tons in fiscal year 2026 to approximately 558 million tons in fiscal year 2027.

Iron ore imports to India are expected to remain moderate in the near term. The main buyers are likely to be large steel producers, given the limited domestic availability of high-quality raw materials. Import volumes will continue to depend on global prices, the transportation situation, and demand for specific ore grades from steelmakers and direct-reduced iron producers.

As reported by GMK Center, iron ore imports to India will rise to a seven-year high in the 2025/2026 fiscal year (ended March 31) due to a domestic shortage of high-quality raw materials and demand from JSW Steel.

It is worth noting that in the 2025/2026 fiscal year (ending March 31), India increased its ore production by 7% year-on-year – to 310 million tons. The growth was driven by strong performance from major companies, though it remained concentrated among a limited group of them, highlighting uneven supply conditions.