Brazilian iron ore export revenues total US$2.4bn in March

Brazil's iron ore exports generated revenues of US$2.39bn in March, compared to US$2.50bn in the year-ago period, according to the latest figures from foreign trade department Secex.

Brazil shipped 24.5Mt of iron ore abroad last month, 14.1% more than the 22.6Mt in March 2013. However, the average sale price decreased 11.7% to US$97.80/t from US$110.80/t, Secex reported.

Iron ore has been Brazil's main export since 2000.

Export revenue from flat rolled steel products slipped 22% to US$71.6mn as volumes fell 31.6% to 78,700t. Meanwhile, the average sale price rose 14% to US$910.60/t, the figures show.

Sales abroad of iron and semi-manufactured steel products brought in US$197mn in the third month of the year, a 19.6% decrease year-on-year as volumes fell 21.2% to 381,300t and prices increased 2.0% to US$517.70/t.

ALUMINUM

Meanwhile, Brazil's aluminum exports brought in US$59.0mn in March, down 32.5% compared to the year-ago period, mostly due to a 27.5% fall in shipment volume to 31,500t, while the price dropped 6.9% to US$1,874.70/t.