According to the statistics from South African customs, South Africa exported approximately 22 million tons of iron ore from January to October 2019, increasing by 9.4% from 20 million tons in the same period a year ago.

South Africa was the third-largest iron ore exporter in the world, only after Australia and Brazil.

China was the main destination with around 14.5 million tons, accounting for 4.5% of the total of South Africa's iron ore (fines/lumps) exports in 2019. The other major destinations included Mozambique and the Netherlands.