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Iron ore futures blended as traders weigh worldwide supply outlook and China need

Dalian iron ore futures dipped on Wednesday while costs increased in Singapore, as traders weighed prospects of firmer international supply against China trade data showing stronger steel imports and ore exports.

The most-traded January iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended morning trade 0.44%. lower at 794.0 yuan ($ 111.59) a metric lot.

The benchmark November iron ore on the Singapore. Exchange was 0.38% higher at $106.35 a ton, since 0330 GMT.

Brazilian miner Vale reported on Tuesday a 5.5%. increase in its third-quarter iron ore production compared to a. year earlier, reaching the greatest level in practically six years.

Expectations are that significant exporters will show current. supply disturbances are previous them and the outlook for further. gains are strong, ANZ experts said in a note.

Vale is one of the world's top iron ore suppliers and its. readings came ahead of production reports today from other. major exporters, consisting of BHP and Rio Tinto.

On the other hand, China's iron ore imports in September rose 2.7%. from August and 2.9% from the year before, custom-mades data showed. earlier this week, as bookings were encouraged by lower prices. and hopes for improved demand throughout the peak building and construction. season.

Steel exports jumped 25.93% to 10.15 million tons, the. greatest for a single month because July 2016.

Regardless of the strong data, doubts remained about prospects of. need for the steelmaking component amidst issues about. China's home sector, a key user of steel.

Other steelmaking active ingredients on the DCE were weaker, with. coking coal and coke down 1.92% and 1.96%,. respectively.

A lot of criteria on the Shanghai Futures Exchange lost. ground. Rebar lost 0.46%, hot-rolled coil. shed 0.36% and wire rod dipped 0.24%, while stainless. steel reinforced 0.54%.

(source: Reuters)