According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, this world's largest steel producer imported 102.11 million tons of iron ore in March this year, a sharp increase of 18.9% over the same month last year.

During the first quarter of 2021, China imported 283.44 million tons of iron ore, up from 263 million tons in the same period last year.

Demand for iron ore has been supported by strong steel consumption in the construction and manufacturing sectors.