The Brazilian mining company Vale is actively considering India as a key direction for the development of its business, aiming not only to increase iron ore supply volumes but also to find new forms of collaboration with local partners. This was stated by Vale’s Executive Vice President for Commercial Affairs, Rogério Nogueira.
This is reported by Finway
India: A Strategic Market for Vale
In recent years, India has become one of the most dynamic players in the global seaborne iron ore market. The country is rapidly increasing its steel production to meet the growing demand for infrastructure development and consumer goods. Amid the slowdown in China’s steel industry, India is becoming a new center of gravity for leading companies in the sector, including Vale, as well as global competitors such as BHP Group and Rio Tinto Group.
“India could become an opportunity not only for sales but also for sourcing iron ore, blending, and trading – finding the best markets for its products,” he explained.
Vale forecasts that despite a slight decline in steel output in China, India has the potential for growth: by 2050, its steelmaking capacity could increase more than threefold – to 500 million tons. However, according to Nogueira, India will not become a second China for the company, but Vale’s market share in India will grow.
Ore Production and Imports: Forecasts for 2027
The Australian government, in a recent industry review, confirms these trends: steel production in India is expected to reach 184 million tons by 2027, up from 165 million tons in 2025. Meanwhile, according to Australian forecasts, iron ore imports to India could rise from 16 million tons in 2025 to 30 million tons in 2027. Vale believes that domestic steel production will outpace the growth of ore extraction due to bureaucratic obstacles, particularly in the licensing sector.
Rogério Nogueira emphasized that Vale plans to gradually expand its presence in India. In 2026, the company expects to increase iron ore sales by 50% – to approximately 15 million tons. An additional advantage is the chemical composition of Brazilian ore, which perfectly complements Indian ore, opening new opportunities for the development of supply and distribution chains.
Vale already operates two distribution centers in Malaysia and Oman, and has long-term agreements with 22 ports in China that serve as logistics hubs. In February of this year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint construction of a blending plant with Indian partners Adani Ports and state-owned NMDC Ltd. According to Nogueira, Vale is also considering other similar partnerships to strengthen its position in the Indian market.