According to national iron ore and base metals association Sinferbase, Brazil's iron ore exports totaled 104 million tonne in January to May down from 112 million tonne in the same period last year.

Sinferbase's associated companies are mining giant Vale and its affiliates Itabrasco, Nibrasco, Hispanobras and Kobrasco and pellet maker Samarco, a 50:50 JV with BHP Billiton, resource group Anglo American and local iron ore miner MMX.

Of total iron ore shipments in January to May, Vale accounted for 92.6 million tonne and Samarco, 8.61 million tonne. Pellet exports in the first 5 months totaled 18.6 million tonne down from 20.8 million tonne in the same period last year.

Domestic iron ore sales in January to May declined to 10.4 million tonne from 12.5 million tonne YoY. Vale sold 9.36 million tonne followed by MMX with 815,000 tonnes and Samarco with 179,000 tonnes.