Brazil's iron ore exports generated revenues of US$2.06bn in April, compared to US$2.54bn a year ago, according to the latest figures from foreign trade department Secex. Brazil shipped 24.7Mt of iron ore abroad last month, 16.4% more than the 23.3Mt in April 2013. However, the average sale price decreased 23.1% to US$83.50/t from US$108.60/t, Secex reported. Iron ore has been Brazil's main export since 2000.

Export revenue from flat rolled steel products slipped 35.8% to US$83.1mn as volumes fell 32.8% to 110,400t. Meanwhile, the average sale price fell 4.5% to US$753.00/t, the figures show. Sales abroad of iron and semi-manufactured steel products brought in US$222mn in the fourth month of the year, a 9% decrease year-on-year as volumes fell 11% to 424,300t and prices increased 2.3% to US$523.90/t.

Meanwhile, Brazil's aluminum exports brought in US$50.2mn in April, down 37.8% compared to a year ago, mostly due to a 32.8% fall in shipment volume to 26,000t, while the price dropped 7.4% to US$1,930.50/t.