Brazil exported 27.157 million mt of iron ore (pellets excluded) in June, 13.4 percent less than in May, according to the ministry of development, industry and foreign trade, MDIC.
The downturn reflects reduced volumes shipped to all world regions, chiefly Asia and the EU, which received respectively 22.530 million mt (less 11.4 percent) and 2.835 million mt (less 27.1 percent).
Shipments to the Middle East declined by 36 percent to 738,000 mt, while shipments to Latin American countries declined by 24 percent to 586,600 mt.
Brazilian exports of pellets have followed a similar pattern, having declined by 30 percent to 1.860 million mt, of which 619,800 mt to Asia (less 32 percent) and 617,800 mt to the EU (less 27 percent).
The most recent export deals for sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron contents were reportedly closed at $45/mt, for lumps at $49/mt and for pellets at $75/mt, FOB conditions, roughly stable for two weeks, as the recently increased price in the Chinese market (used as base for calculation of the FOB-Brazil price) was compensated by increased ocean freight costs.
In the Brazilian domestic market, prices of sinter feed fines, lumps and pellets are estimated respectively at $39/mt, $43/mt and $71/mt, CFR, full taxes conditions, slightly increased from last week.