Brazil: Iron Ore & Pellet Export Declines 14% in Apr’18

Recent trade statistics released by Brazil Customs show that the country has exported a total of 25.88 MnT iron ore & pellets in Apr’18. The Apr’18 exports have declined by 14% M-o-M as against 29.95 MnT in Mar’18. On yearly basis, the exports have witnessed increase of 8% as against 24.05 MnT in Apr’17.

Out of the total quantity of 25.88 MnT exports, 23.1 MnT stood iron ore (89% of total Apr’18 exports) recording 15% fall against 27.13 MnT in Mar’18 . Remaining 2.78 MnT exports were pellets in line with Mar’18 exports at 2.82 MnT.

The decline in exports is contributed by operation halt in Minas Rio iron ore mines, Anglo American due to pipeline leakage, detected on 29th Mar’18, which has curtailed the operation at mines for 90 days. Besides, lower buying interest from Chinese traders with ore containing high silica content have further contributed to lower Brazilian exports owing to high port inventories and production cut policies enforced by government of China.

For the duration Jan-Apr’18, total iron ore & pellet exports recorded at 110.06 MnT down marginally on yearly basis compared to 115.1 MnT in Jan- Apr’17. Out of the total quantity of 110.06 MnT, 99.48 MnT stood iron ore and remaining 10.58 MnT being pellet.

Vale iron ore exports down 12% in Apr’18:

Vale, the world’s largest iron ore producer exported around 20.56 MnT iron ore via sea route in Apr’18, down 12% against previous month exports at 23.25 MnT. CSN stood the second largest exporter at 1.84 MnT (down 28% M-o-M) followed by Anglo-American at 0.32 MnT (down 61% M-o-M).

Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data

China iron ore imports from Brazil down 25% in Apr’18:

China, largest importer of Brazilian iron ore contributed 57% of total Brazilian exports via sea route in Apr’18. The imports recorded a decline of 25% M-o-M in Apr’18 at 13.26 MnT against Mar’18 imports at 17.65 MnT. Japan stood the second largest importer at 1.97 MnT (up 53% M-o-M) followed by Portugal at 1.19 MnT (up 32% M-o-M) and Oman at 1.13 MnT (up by almost thrice on monthly basis).

For Jan-Apr’18, China marked the largest importer at 62.1 MnT (contributing 62% of total exports), followed by Japan at 4.72 MnT and Malaysia at 4.30 MnT.

China’s iron ore imports recorded a fall in Apr’18 due to extended steel production cuts and high port inventories. The iron ore (including pellet) inventory grew by 1.3 MnT in a week, to 161.68 MnT on 30th Mar’18 as against 160.38 MnT assessed on 23rd Mar’18.

In Apr’18, Netherland, Bahrain and France depicted a fall in Brazillian iron ore imports and stood at 0.60 MnT (down 22%), 0.48 MnT(down 27%) and 0.35 MnT (down 40%) respectively.

Country-Wise Brazil Iron Ore Exports: Apr’18 v/s Mar’18

Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data

Ponta Da Madeira contributed half of Brazilian exports in Apr’18

Ponta Da Madeira accounted for 51% of total Brazilian export in Apr’18 at 11.81 MnT (down 12% M-o-M), followed by Rio De Janeiro at 28% and Tubarao Port at 18%.

Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data