Iron Ore Falls to Two-Month Low as Beijing Steps Up Steel Curbs

© Reuters Iron Ore Falls to Two-Month Low as Beijing Steps Up Steel Curbs

(Bloomberg) -- Iron ore fell to a two-month low in Singapore amid expectations for steeper cuts in Chinese steel production through the year-end.

The raw material that’s used to make steel is under mounting pressure -- dropping around 15% in two weeks -- as Beijing steps up measures to cut pollution from one of its dirtiest industries. Shagang Group, the world’s fourth largest steel mill, said this week that it’s curtailing production and overseas sales to comply with government efforts to cut emissions.

See also: China Squeezes Steel Exports Again to Expand Sector Overhaul

Beijing’s attempts to cap steel output below last year’s record high weren’t very successful in the first half, when production rose 12% from a year earlier. That’s raising expectations that activity will need to be restricted significantly through the end of the year. China unveiled more measures to curb overseas shipments this week, raising export tariffs on some steel materials and removing rebates on cold-rolled products.

Demand is weakening as Beijing seeks to reduce steel output to cut emissions, Vivek Dhar, commodities analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTC:CMWAY), said in a note. “China’s steel production is now facing more headwinds.”

Singapore futures plunged 4.5% to $182.10 a ton as of 11:06 a.m. local time and are down around 8% for the week. Prices in Dalian lost 4.9%. Steel rebar futures and hot-rolled coil climbed in Shanghai.

On the supply side, Brazil’s Vale SA (NYSE:VALE), the world’s second-biggest ore miner, said it’s confident of reaching its annual output guidance of 315 to 335 million tons despite recent disruptions.

In base metals markets, nickel and aluminum steadied as the dollar snapped a four-day decline, making commodities more expensive to other currency holders.

Nickel, used in stainless steel and electrical vehicles batteries, was little changed at $19,185 a ton on the London Metal Exchange. The metal has been inching closer to the $20,110 reached in February, the highest since 2014, amid surging demand. Aluminum steadied after its highest close since 2011.

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