Slightly increased iron ore prices in the Chinese spot market, compensated in FOB terms by a small increase in ocean freight rates, has resulted in Brazilian ore prices stabilizing from last week.
Sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron contents remain traded for export from Brazil at $66/mt, the equivalent lumps $88/mt and blast furnace grade pellets at $124/mt, FOB conditions.
In the Brazilian domestic market, for equivalent ores, the prices are $60/mt for sinter feed fines, $82/mt for lumps and $118/mt for blast furnace grade pellets, ex-works, no taxes included.
In September, Brazil exported 30.98 million mt of iron ore (pellets excluded), against 32.79 million mt in August. Asia was the main destination (23.98 million mt, of which 19.12 million mt to China), followed by Europe (4.30 million mt) and the Middle East (1.87 million mt).
Exports of pellets reached 2.92 million mt in September, against 2.83 million mt in August. Asia was also the main destination (1.17 million mt, of which 500,000 mt to China), followed by Europe (500,000 mt), the Middle East (400,000 mt) and South America (200,000 mt).