Freighters load iron ore?at the Rizhao Port in Shandong province, Oct 3, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

China, the world's largest iron ore importer and consumer with annual consumption of more than 1 billion metric tons, is expected to import more iron ore in the coming months, Ministry?of?Commerce spokesman Shen Danyang told a news briefing on Thursday.

Driven by robust steel production, China imported a record 74.58 million tons of the ore in September, up 8 percent from August and an increase of 15 percent from a year earlier, customs data showed.

Shen added that imported commodities other than iron ore will also see continuous growth in the coming months as China's recent economic pickup significantly strengthens import growth.