The spot reference price for 62% Fe iron ore cfr North China fell 1.0% to $135.90 for the week ending April 5, 2013 and was some 14.5% below the recent high of $158.90 on February 20.

The spot price for iron ore averaged $148.20/tonne in 1Q13, some 22.9% higher than 4Q12’s $120.57/tonne. The full-year 012 average was $128.30/tonne.

The post-recession low was $59.10 on March 27, 2009, while the high was $190.19 on February 17, 2011.

Source: The Steel Index