For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Iron Oxide Prices in North America
- In the USA, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 0.37% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting freight-driven landed-cost increases.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 986.33/MT, reflecting subdued winter buying.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price movement remained muted as ample imports and stable inventories pressured the Price Index downward.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast indicates limited upside near term given balanced supply, freight volatility being the main upward risk.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend is stable with slightly higher logistics and energy components nudging landed costs modestly.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook remains subdued seasonally as construction and coatings remain slow before spring project ramp-up.
- Price Index sensitivity to freight and inventory dynamics kept importers negotiating small discounts despite normal production from major exporters.
- Domestic buyers maintained hand-to-mouth purchasing, restraining spot activity while distributors reduced stocks ahead of seasonal demand.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in March 2026 in North America?
- Higher Shanghai-Houston freight increased landed costs for Asian cargoes, transmitting upward pressure to U.S. CFR quotations.
- Balanced and ample seaborne supply from China and Germany prevented significant supply-driven price gains in March.
- Seasonally muted construction and coatings demand maintained cautious buying and limited spot restocking across distributors.
Iron Oxide Prices in APAC
- In Indonesia, the Iron Oxide Price Index fell by 0.15% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting softer import offers.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 892.00/MT.
- Ample Chinese and German supply pressured the Iron Oxide Spot Price, keeping import availability comfortably high.
- Freight volatility and higher container costs influenced the Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend and supplier margins.
- Domestic construction and decorative coatings trends underpin the Iron Oxide Demand Outlook, yet activity remained subdued.
- Inventories at distributors remained elevated, supporting a neutral Iron Oxide Price Index and limited buying urgency.
- Export offers tightened briefly in February then stabilized, shaping the short-term Iron Oxide Price Forecast trajectory.
- Stable operating rates at major origins implied steady feedstock costs and restrained the Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Rising Shanghai-Jakarta freight and weaker rupiah elevated theoretical landed costs but exporters absorbed increases largely.
- Ample export availability from China and India limited urgency and prevented upward price movement.
- Moderate domestic procurement and healthy distributor inventories reduced spot buying, keeping March pricing flat overall.
Iron Oxide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 0.67% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting firmer export enquiries.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 948/MT, supporting seasonal buying.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price movements remained restrained as export demand absorbed output and inventories stayed lean.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast indicates limited volatility near term, with modest upside pressure from elevated energy costs.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend shows gas-driven calcination expenses remain a key upward pressure on producer margins.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook looks stable-to-soft domestically while exports to Poland and France underpin offtake.
- The Iron Oxide Price Index reflected marginal monthly gains driven by list-price adjustments and constrained inventories at origin.
- German pigment producers ran without maintenance, supporting regular Hamburg loadings while inland logistics operated without notable disruptions.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Higher industrial natural-gas tariffs increased calcination costs, enabling modest pass-through into FOB list prices during March.
- Steady export enquiries from Poland, France and Italy absorbed production, preventing inventory build-up at Hamburg terminals.
- Domestic construction and automotive demand remained subdued, limiting broader buying and keeping market balanced rather than tight.
Iron Oxide Prices in South America
- In Brazil, the Iron Oxide Price Index fell by 0.62% quarter-over-quarter due to weaker export inquiries.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1067.67/MT, reflecting subdued demand.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price was quiet and Price Index remained neutral amid balanced supply conditions.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast projects minimal variance unless shipping costs or regional demand unexpectedly increase.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend stayed contained because ore supply and electricity tariffs remained stable.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook cautious; Argentine and US buying lifted March exports, domestic demand softened.
- Iron Oxide Price Index movements reflected balanced inventories and routine kiln operations, preventing price volatility.
- Harvest logistics tightened truck availability, raising inland transport costs and modestly supporting FOB price resilience.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in March 2026 in South America?
- Muted export inquiries from coatings buyers reduced spot demand and pressured FOB quotations.
- Stable ore availability and unchanged electricity tariffs contained production costs, limiting pressure on Price Index.
- Harvest-season logistics tightened truck capacity, increasing inland transport costs and modestly lifting ex-works production expenses.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
North America
- In USA, the Iron Oxide Price Index fell by 0.47% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting ample import supply.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 982.67/MT, CFR Houston delivery market.
- Inventories remained adequate, keeping Iron Oxide Spot Price pressure muted despite demand strength in paints.
- Feedstock cost stability limited Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend volatility, supporting neutral margins for producers.
- Export flows and lower freight reduced landed costs, moderating the Iron Oxide Price Index regionally.
- Downstream procurement remained cautious, tempering the Iron Oxide Demand Outlook despite pockets of restocking activity.
- Domestic producers operated; balanced supply prevented sharp moves and influenced the Iron Oxide Price Forecast.
- Short-term outlook expects stable patterns, leaving the Iron Oxide Price Index range-bound into next year.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in December 2025 in North America?
- Reduced ocean freight lowered landed import costs, offsetting feedstock pressure and stabilizing domestic price levels.
- Steady domestic production and smooth import flows maintained inventories, preventing significant upward price movement overall.
- Modest demand moderation from paints, coatings, and construction limited spot buying, keeping the market neutral.
APAC
- In Indonesia, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 3.32% quarter-over-quarter, driven by stronger late-quarter procurement.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 893.33/MT across CFR Jakarta and domestic hubs.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price experienced month-end firming as freight and landed costs pushed the local Price Index higher.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast indicates near-term stability with potential mild gains if port congestion persists into January.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained neutral as stable iron ore benchmarks and moderate freight limited upward pressure.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook balanced between steady construction offtake and cautious procurement ahead of Lunar New Year shipping lull.
- Domestic inventories tightened in December, reducing buffer stocks and amplifying export inquiries' influence on the Price Index.
- Producers ran at stable rates while inter-island distribution costs rose, constraining effective supply for outlying construction hubs.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Elevated freight quotes increased landed import parity, pushing December CFR costs and supporting firmer prices.
- Robust procurement from paints, cement, and tiles absorbed available cargoes, tightening supply for specialty grades.
- Limited domestic calcination capacity kept buyers reliant on imports while seasonal restocking increased prompt demand.
Europe
- In Germany, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 0.75% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stable supply-demand conditions.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 941.67/MT, backed by inventories.
- Germany's Iron Oxide Spot Price softened due to weaker construction demand and delayed export purchases.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast suggests modest near-term stability, as seasonal construction demand slowly recovers.
- Improved gas pricing eased calcination expenses, moderating the Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend this quarter.
- Stable automotive and battery sector orders offset construction softness, shaping the Iron Oxide Demand Outlook.
- China and regional supplier flows supported availability, effectively keeping the Iron Oxide Price Index stable.
- Inventories rose modestly as logistics normalized, easing tightness and softening the Iron Oxide Spot Price.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Natural gas moderation reduced calcination costs, allowing producers to concede modest price concessions in December.
- Softer construction demand and delayed export purchases weakened offtake, tempering December pricing despite automotive strength.
- Improved logistics and steady import flows increased availability, while inventories rose slightly, reducing market tightness.
South America
- In Brazil, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 0.75% quarter-over-quarter, supported by steady exports.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1074.33/MT, reflecting balanced supply.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price stayed competitive as abundant feedstock and steady kiln operations limited pressure.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained stable with limited energy and raw material cost increases.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook is steady with seasonal paint and construction restocking supporting modest consumption.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast suggests modest fluctuation driven by seasonal procurement and export enquiry patterns.
- Port and warehouse inventories kept offers disciplined; Iron Oxide Price Index reacted to supply buffers.
- Kiln operating continuity limited spot sales; Iron Oxide Spot Price resilience reflected smooth shipping schedules.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in December 2025 in South America?
- Record iron-ore shipments raised feedstock availability significantly, reducing producers' pricing power and pressuring FOB values.
- Year-end inventory drawdowns and muted export enquiries constrained bookings, weakening demand across key regional buyers.
- Smooth logistics and kiln operations prevented shortages; limited energy costs constrained producers raising offers.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In the USA, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 7.79% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tariff-driven inflation.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 987.33/MT, net of taxes.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price tightened then firmed as the Price Index reflected import pressures later.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast anticipates modest variation, influenced by freight normalization and seasonal construction demand.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend rose; ore and freight cost increases pressured Price Index upward.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook steady for public infrastructure and coatings, while residential construction tempers buying.
- Iron Oxide Price Index strength from thinning inventories and export demand absorbing volumes, tightening supply.
- Asian producer curtailments and tariffs elevated landed costs, adding upward bias to Price Index domestically.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in September 2025 in North America?
- Reduced Asian export allocations and tariff-inflated landed costs constrained imports, tightening available US inventories sharply
- Freight volatility and longer lead times disrupted replenishment cycles, prompting distributors to accelerate purchases, restocking
- Sustained infrastructure and coatings demand absorbed supply, enabling suppliers to pass higher costs into prices
APAC
- In Indonesia, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 7.412% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tight supply.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 864.67/MT, import-driven landed costs.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price remained firm as Chinese offers and disciplined domestic output limited availability.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast suggests modest fluctuations balancing expo demand and seasonal construction slowdown.
- Production Cost Trend reflects upward pressure from higher Asian container freight and import landed costs.
- Demand Outlook remains positive with construction, paints, and infrastructure procurement supporting steady pigment offtake volumes.
- Iron Oxide Price Index gains reinforced by cautious inventories and export inquiries from regional buyers.
- Domestic producers maintained disciplined output, limiting spot availability while imports met residual market needs locally.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Tight regional supply limited Chinese cargo availability, constraining physical supply and supporting upward price pressure.
- Elevated container freight rates increased landed costs materially, prompting traders to pass higher import-driven pricing.
- Firm downstream demand from construction, coatings and expo procurement sustained offtake despite cautious inventory restocking.
Europe
- In Germany, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 2.04% quarter-over-quarter due to port congestion.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 934.67/MT, FOB Hamburg reported.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price remained constrained as distributors adjusted offers amid logistical delays and inventory.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend stayed high as energy and processing expenses pressured producer margins.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook remains muted with weak residential construction offset by civil engineering support.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast indicates modest volatility, with seasonal dips then rebounds ahead of restocking.
- Inventory accumulation and steady exports balanced local shortages, leaving the Iron Oxide Price Index rangebound.
- Port disruptions, seasonal turnarounds, and feedstock availability influenced producer offers and market tightness in Q3.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Supply constraints from port congestion and transport delays tightened availability, elevating Iron Oxide Price Index.
- Elevated energy and processing costs increased production pressure, influencing higher offers despite weak domestic demand.
- Inventories remained elevated, while export flows provided balance, limiting larger price escalation across German markets.
South America
- In Brazil, the Iron Oxide Price Index rose by 4.41% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tight supply.
- The average Iron Oxide price for the quarter was approximately USD 1066.33/MT including logistics premiums.
- Iron Oxide Spot Price strengthened amid constrained inland logistics and elevated freight, supporting firmer offers.
- Iron Oxide Price Forecast projects marginal fluctuations as exporters adjust shipments ahead of tariff implementation.
- Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend increased due to higher ore and energy costs, supporting offers.
- Iron Oxide Demand Outlook remains resilient from construction and coatings, offsetting some export diversion effects.
- Iron Oxide Price Index gains moderated as exporters accelerated shipments ahead of tariffs, tightening availability.
- Inventories and export demand shifts will determine short term pricing volatility and material availability domestically.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in September 2025 in South America?
- Tight supply and accelerated exports ahead of U.S. tariff reduced availability, contributing to price rise.
- Higher ore and energy costs with inland logistics disruptions increased production costs, supporting firmer offers.
- Resilient construction and coatings demand sustained offtake despite manufacturing headwinds and anticipated export reallocations near-term.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price in North America decreased by 7% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a softer Price Index.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend varied month-to-month: April saw rising import costs from tariff disruptions; May had stable production with cheap Asian imports; June reversed the trend with sharply elevated input costs from Brazil and China.
- Supply remained sufficient in April and May due to steady imports and high inventories but tightened in June due to freight volatility and restocking delays.
- The Iron Oxide Demand Outlook was sluggish overall, with weak activity in paints and coatings, but moderate support from institutional and public infrastructure construction.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in July 2025 in North America?
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price rose in July 2025, driven by lingering supply tightness and elevated import costs from June spillovers.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained elevated due to continued logistics disruption and high landed costs from tariffed sources.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast remains firm for Q3 2025 as public construction demand persists, despite sluggish residential and commercial project pipelines.
Europe
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price in Europe decreased by 3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as reflected in a softer Price Index.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend aligned with broader deflationary pressures across the eurozone, driven by falling industrial producer prices and controlled inflation rates.
- Ample domestic production, steady imports, and improved port logistics ensured consistent availability, resulting in an oversupplied market and heightened price competition.
- The Iron Oxide Demand Outlook remained weak, with persistent headwinds in residential and commercial construction and limited recovery in paints and coatings, despite slight improvement in civil infrastructure activity.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in July 2025 in Europe?
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price increased in July 2025 due to lingering supply chain constraints and tight inventories, despite only moderate demand from downstream sectors.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained elevated due to disrupted inbound shipments and logistics issues stemming from port congestion and low water levels.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast for Q3 2025 signals firm-to-stable pricing, supported by fragile demand recovery in infrastructure and ongoing supply limitations, even as broader industrial activity remains sluggish.
Asia-Pacific
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price in Indonesia decreased by 8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, reflected in a weaker Price Index.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained mixed—while raw material inflation was modest, logistics volatility and freight spikes in June briefly elevated import costs.
- Abundant supply conditions dominated most of the quarter, driven by a steady influx of low-cost Chinese imports amid their domestic oversupply and manufacturing slowdown.
- The Iron Oxide Demand Outlook stayed moderate, with limited expansion in paints, coatings, and construction sectors despite stimulus-backed housing initiatives and rising project activity toward the quarter-end.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in July 2025 in Indonesia?
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price increased in July 2025 due to continued tight regional supply and high import costs, especially after a sharp rise in container freight rates from China.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained elevated, impacted by higher landed costs and freight surcharges despite stable domestic inflation.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast indicates a firm pricing trend in Q3 2025, supported by sustained demand from the construction and coatings industries and limited inventory restocking amid cautious procurement.
South America
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price in Brazil remained unchanged quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as reflected in a stable Price Index, though intra-quarter fluctuations were observed.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend showed mixed signals—headline inflation decreased to 0.24% in June, but construction material costs and freight remained elevated, impacting input expenses.
- The Iron Oxide Demand Outlook was uneven across the quarter. While June saw stronger demand from construction and coatings, earlier months were characterized by sluggish export activity and low industrial consumption.
- Manufacturing headwinds persisted, with falling new orders and weak business confidence. However, resilient domestic consumption, rising construction input costs, and tightening supply supported pricing momentum late in the quarter.
Why did the price of Iron Oxide change in July 2025 in Brazil?
- The Iron Oxide Spot Price increased in July 2025, supported by firm domestic demand and inventory drawdowns amid anticipated U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports.
- The Iron Oxide Production Cost Trend remained elevated, driven by persistently high material and freight costs despite lower general inflation.
- The Iron Oxide Price Forecast suggests further upward movement in Q3 2025, bolstered by robust downstream activity in paints and construction and tightening local supply conditions.
