What is the BigMint PELLEX Index?

PELLEX is BigMint's proprietary price index for pellets delivered to Raipur (DAP), serving as the national benchmark for the Indian domestic market. By tracking the bi-weekly movements of the PELLEX, steel producers and pellet manufacturers can settle contracts based on verified market transactions.

How do Fe 63% Indian pellets compare to Fe 65% Brazilian pellets in the global market?

Fe 65% pellets from Brazil generally command a quality premium over Indian Fe 63% pellets due to higher iron content and lower silica/alumina impurities. BigMint monitors these 'Pellet Premiums' at Chinese ports like Qingdao and Rizhao, providing a clear dollar-per-tonne value for the grade difference.

What are the typical size specifications for iron ore pellets?

Standard commercial pellets usually range between 6mm and 20mm, a size optimized for air permeability in Blast Furnaces and Direct Reduction plants. BigMint’s assessments specify this 6-20mm range for all major indices, including Barbil, Bellary, and Durgapur, ensuring price accuracy for standard-grade material.

Why are Ex-works prices different across Indian hubs like Raipur and Chandrapur?

Regional price variations are driven by local supply-demand balances, proximity to iron ore mines, and logistics costs to the nearest steel clusters. BigMint provides localized price discovery for over seven Indian hubs, allowing buyers to identify the most cost-effective sourcing point based on their location.

How does the 'Sentiments' indicator help in pellet procurement?

Sentiments (e.g., 'Weak' or 'Moderate') provide a qualitative outlook based on buyer inquiries, port stocks, and export tender responses. BigMint includes these sentiments in its bi-weekly reports to help procurement managers decide whether to buy immediately or wait for potential price corrections.

What is the delivery lead time for pellets in the Indian domestic market?

Domestic pellet delivery usually spans 2 to 4 weeks depending on rail rake availability and road logistics. BigMint tracks these delivery periods alongside prices, providing transparency for steel mills that need to maintain lean inventory levels.

Does BigMint track Indian pellet export offers?

Yes, BigMint assesses FOB East Coast India prices for pellets destined for the seaborne market, primarily China. This allows Indian manufacturers to compare their export netbacks against domestic realizations in markets like Raipur or Durgapur.

Can I access historical PELLEX data for price forecasting?

Historical data is essential for analyzing the correlation between pellet prices, iron ore fines, and finished steel margins. BigMint offers a comprehensive database of historical pellet assessments, enabling analysts to build predictive models for the ferrous value chain.

Iron Ore Pellets Prices – Live Market Updates

	Particular/Delivery/Region	Size/Grade	Min/Max	Tax	Delivery Period	Sentiments

IND	Pellet, Exw-Jharsugda, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 63%, (+/- 0.5%)	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, FOR Siding-Barbil, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 62.5%, (+/- 0.5%)	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, Exw-Bellary, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 63%	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, Exw-Jamshedpur, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm , Fe 62.5%, (+/- 0.5%)	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet , Exw-Raipur, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 63%, (+/- 0.5%)	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, DAP-Kandla, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 64/63%	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, Ex-Durgapur, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:17 IST \| Biweekly	6-20 mm, Fe 62.5%, (+/- 0.5%)	INR	tax	Within 2-4 Weeks	NA
IND	Pellet, Ex-Chandrapur, IndiaDOM 08, May 2026 18:03 IST \| Weekly	6-20 mm, Fe 64%	INR	tax	2 Weeks	NA

Iron Ore	Export level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Import level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Production level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Consumption level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15

Iron Ore	Export level
CY 2014	15
CY 2015	25
CY 2016	30
CY 2017	19
CY 2018	18
CY 2019 (till APR)	15