Brazilian September Iron Ore Exports Increased 18.5 Percent Over Last Year

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian iron ore exports increased by 18.5 percent in September compared to the same period last year, to 37.86 million tons, after Vale increased the pace of production. The volume shipped last month is the biggest since December 2015, when Brazil exported a monthly record of 39.5 million tons, according to the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services.

Compared with August, there was a 21 percent increase in Brazilian iron ore shipments in September. Vale resumed full opeations at its Viga plant on Thursday, after a judge lifted an order that had suspended operations there, the mining firm said in a securities filing.

Operations at the iron ore concentration plant had been suspended for six days, the company said, as it rectified alleged issues pertaining to its operating permit. According to the miner, the halt resulted in 11,000 tons per day of iron ore fine production off the market.

Brazil’s iron ore exports – which represent 59 percent of the country’s mineral production – totaled US$5 (R$28) billion in Q2, 6 percent higher than Q1 2020, but 5 percent lower than in Q2 2019. The country exported 76 million tons, 8 percent above the total registered in Q1 2020, but 3 percent lower than Q2 2019.

The metals industry group projects that Brazil will export 310 million tons in 2020, lower than the 340 million tons exported in 2019, but recovering as China seems to be undergoing a construction boom.