Recent trade statistics released by Brazil Customs show that the country has exported a total of 100.17 MnT iron ore & pellets in Q2 CY’18. Exports have increased by 19% Q-o-Q against 84.18 MnT in Q1 CY’18. On yearly basis, the exports have witnessed rise of 8% as against 92.95 MnT in Q2 CY’17.
China accounts for more than half of Brazilian iron ore exports, amidst stricter regulations in China, buyers are preferring low alumina Brazilian iron ore (Carajas fines) resulting in increased exports from Brazil.
Out of the total quantity of 100.17 MnT exports in Q2 CY’18, 88.13 MnT stood iron ore (88% of total Q2 exports) and 12.04 MnT exports were pellets.
Brazillian Samarco, with capacity of around 30 MnT per year, after being shut for a period of around three years has reached an agreement for operation resumption. Vale holds 50% stake in Samarco iron ore mines. The mine is expected to resume towards the end of 2018 which will add to Brazillian exports.
In June’18, the country has exported around 35.31 MnT iron ore (including pellets). On monthly basis, iron ore & pellet exports decreased by 9% M-o-M against 38.98 MnT in May’18. However, on yearly basis the exports from Brazil recorded slight increase by 4% in June’18 as compared to June’17 exports at 33.79 MnT.
Out of the total 35.31 MnT exports from Brazil in June’18, 32.85 MnT was iron ore, in line with May’18 exports at 32.18 MnT. Remaining 2.46 MnT of exports stood pellets in June’18, down significantly by 64% M-o-M against 6.8 MnT in May’18.
Vale iron ore exports increased 15% in Q2 CY’18:
Vale, the world’s largest iron ore producer exported around 79.64 MnT iron ore in Q2 CY’18, up 21% against the previous quarter. CSN stood the second largest exporter at 7.02 MnT (up 20% Q-o-Q) followed by Anglo-American at 0.49 MnT.
Anglo American witnessed sharp fall in quarterly exports by 83% at 0.49 MnT. The drop is owing to operation halt in Minas Rio iron ore mines, towards the end of Mar’18 for an expected period of 90 days.
In June’18, Vale exported 29.97 MnT iron ore via sea route, followed by CSN at 2.40 MnT (down 14 % M-o-M) and Anglo American at 0.17 MnT.
| Shipper | Q2 CY’18 | Q1 CY’18 | Q-o-Q (%) |
| Vale | 79.64 | 65.72 | 21% |
| CSN | 7.02 | 5.87 | 20% |
| Anglo American | 0.49 | 2.91 | -83% |
| N/A | 0.98 | 1.89 | -48% |
| Grand Total | 88.13 | 76.39 | 15% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data
China iron ore imports from Brazil up 13% in Q2 CY’18:
China, largest importer of Brazilian iron ore contributed 62% of total exports of Brazil in Q2 CY’18. The imports recorded an increase of 12% Q-o-Q in Q2 CY’18 at 54.91 MnT against Q1 CY’18 exports at 48.81 MnT.
Netherland stood the second largest importer at 4.47 MnT (up 34% Q-o-Q) followed by Japan at 4.32 MnT (up 57% Q-o-Q) and Malaysia at 3.52 MnT.
China, accounted for 65% of total Brazilian iron ore exports in June’18 via sea route, followed by Malaysia at 2.34 MnT (up by by six folds M-o-M), Netherland at 1.47 MnT (down 39% M-o-M) and Japan at 1.40 MnT.
Portugal, South Korea and Turkey witnessed sharp rise in imports from Brazil in Second quarter of CY’18.
Country-Wise Brazil Iron Ore Exports: Q2 CY’18 v/s Q1 CY’18
| Country | Q2 CY’18 | Q1 CY’18 | Q-o-Q (%) | June’18 | May’18 | M-o-M (%) |
| China | 54.91 | 48.81 | 13% | 21.42 | 20.23 | 6% |
| Netherlands | 4.47 | 3.34 | 34% | 1.47 | 2.41 | -39% |
| Japan | 4.32 | 2.75 | 57% | 1.40 | 0.95 | 47% |
| Malaysia | 3.52 | 3.51 | 0% | 2.34 | 0.39 | 500% |
| Portugal | 3.27 | 1.97 | 66% | 0.88 | 1.20 | -26% |
| South Korea | 2.41 | 1.58 | 52% | 0.29 | 1.52 | -81% |
| Others | 15.23 | 14.42 | 6% | 5.06 | 5.48 | -8% |
| Grand Total | 88.13 | 76.39 | 15% | 32.85 | 32.18 | 2% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data
Ponta Da Madeira contributed half of Brazilian exports in Q2 CY’18
Ponta Da Madeira accounted for 52% of total Brazilian export in Second quarter CY’18 at 46.13 MnT, followed by Rio De Janeiro at 26% and Tubarao Port at 20% of total export share.
In June’18 Ponta Da Madeira contributed 52% of total exports at 17.11 MnT. Other major ports for Brazilian iron ore export were Rio De Janeiro at 9.06 MnT and Tubarao Port 6.21 MnT.
| Port | Q2 CY’18 |
| Ponta Da Maderia | 46.13 |
| Rio De Janeiro | 23.06 |
| Tubarao Port | 17.48 |
| Sudeste Port | 0.98 |
| Acu Port | 0.49 |
| Grand Total | 88.13 |
Quantity in MnT
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services, Brazil
Provisional Data
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