Get started

End of open consultation on IOSCO-audited steelmaking raw materials indices: pricing notice

Fastmarkets invited feedback on its pricing methodology as part of an annual consultation for its audited steelmaking raw materials indices, announced in a pricing notice published on February 27.

April 2, 2026
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Asia Iron ore Pricing notice Steel raw materials

The annual consultation sought to ensure that our audited methodologies and price specifications continue to reflect the physical markets for steelmaking raw materials, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency.

The current methodology for all Fastmarkets’ steelmaking raw material indices can be found here.

The prices which were subjected to the annual review are as follows:

MB-IRO-0191 Iron ore 61% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0008 Iron ore 62% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0144 Iron ore 62% Fe low-alumina fines, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0009 Iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0193 Iron ore 62% Australia-origin lump ore premium, cfr Qingdao, US cents/dmtu

MB-IRO-0187 Iron ore 67.5% Fe pellet feed premium, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0188 Iron ore 67.5% Fe pellet feed, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0015 Iron ore 58% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne

MB-IRO-0016 Iron ore 58% Fe fines high-grade premium, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-IRO-0017 Iron ore 58% Fe fines high-grade premium index, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt

MB-COA-0003 Premium hard coking coal, fob eastern Australia, $/wmt

Please note that MB-IRO-0017 is a composite of MB-IRO-0015 and MB-IRO-0016.

During the consultation period, Fastmarkets received feedback on the rising demand for further refinement in the price discovery process of high-grade iron ore sinter fines, amid emerging trade flows from West Africa.

A separate market consultation will be launched to invite feedback on Fastmarkets’ high-grade iron ore pricing coverage.

Beyond this open consultation, Fastmarkets also invites feedback on a continuing basis throughout the year.

Please contact pricing@fastmarkets.com and steelrawmaterials@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “re: steelmaking raw materials pricing methodology.”

To see all of Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to the Fastmarkets methodology page.

What to read next
Incorrect publication of Shanghai copper premiums
The price assessments were not affected by the incorrect publication and the correct prices are showing on Dashboard. The price was published at 12.33pm London time instead of the scheduled time of 3-4pm. The following prices were published early:MB-CU-0405 Copper grade A cathode premium, in-whs Shanghai, $ per tonneMB-CU-0383 Copper grade A cathode ER premium, bonded in-whs […]
May 12, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Delayed publication of battery-grade lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide China price assessments
Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The prices were published with a delay on May 12. The following prices were affected:MB-LI-0036 Lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range, exw domestic China, yuan per tonne MB-LI-0040 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O, 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range, exw domestic China, yuan per tonne These […]
May 12, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Person, Steel, Clothing
Supply squeeze from US-Iran war, anti-dumping cases may send US energy tube and pipe prices soaring: Port Pipe and Tube
Steel energy tube and pipe prices will continue rising amid the US war with Iran and a lack of imported material, Cody Schlueter, president and owner of Port Pipe and Tube, told Fastmarkets in an exclusive interview on May 4.
May 12, 2026
 · 
By Rachel McGuire
Fastmarkets changes the timestamp for several of its agriculture prices: pricing notice
This followed a period of open consultation with no feedback received from the market between April 2 and April 30, 2026, and a final decision published on April 30, 2026. Both the open consultation and final decision notes can be found here and here. The following prices were affected: Barley/Wheat Corn Soybean Vegoils Meals For more information or […]
May 11, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Delayed publication of Fastmarkets’ North American ferrous scrap prices for May
Fastmarkets advises that, as of Monday May 11, certain monthly North American ferrous scrap markets are yet to settle.
May 11, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team
Publication of Fastmarkets’ steel scrap No1 busheling, delivered mill Chicago assessment on Monday May 11, 2026
Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Monday May 11, 2026.
May 11, 2026
 · 
By Fastmarkets pricing team