Capacity utilisation rates of blast furnaces at 247 steel firms across the country declined for the seventh straight week and stood at 74.8% as of Friday, down from 75.2% a week earlier, according to Mysteel consultancy.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported yesterday that export of domestic goods in October 2021 fell $1,491m (3%) compared to September 2021 and amounted to $43,053m, driven by falls in iron ore prices.