Brazil exported 32.693 million mt of iron ore (pellets excluded) in May, 48 percent more than in April, according to the country’s ministry of industry, foreign trade and services, MDIC.
Asia was the main destinations (26.270 million mt, of which 21.047 million mt to China), followed by the EU (4.318 million mt), the Middle East (1.365 million mt), Turkey (371,600 mt) and South America (367,200 mt).
Exports of pellets increased by 21 percent to 2.418 million mt, of which 664,700 mt to Asia, 663,600 mt to the EU, 435,700 mt to Africa and 340,500 mt to the US.
The price of the Brazilian iron ore remains in a downtrend, reflecting reduced prices in the Chinese spot market and slightly reduced ocean freight rates. In one week, prices have dropped in average by $3/mt, except for lumps, that were stable due to a higher premium in relation to equivalent fines.
Sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron contents are now traded for export from Brazil at $41/mt, lumps at $50/mt and blast furnace grade pellets at $86/mt, FOB conditions.
In the Brazilian domestic market, the prices are now $35/mt for sinter feed fines, $44/mt for lumps and $80/mt for blast furnace grade pellets, ex-works, no taxes included.