Brazil's iron ore exports generated revenues of US$3.21bn in December, up 12.4% from US$2.81bn in the year-ago period, according to the latest figures from foreign trade department Secex.

Brazil shipped 31.8Mt of iron ore abroad in December, 6.1% less than the 32.3Mt exported in December 2012. The average sale price increased 15.6% to US$100.8/t from US$87.2/t, Secex reported.

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

Export revenue from flat rolled steel products slipped 32.9% to US$106mn as volumes sank 41.8% to 127,500t. The average sale price rose 15.2% to US$832.8/t, the figures show.

Sales abroad of iron and semi-manufactured steel products brought in US$195mn in the twelfth month of the year, a 22.1% decrease year-on-year as volumes fell 23.5% to 376,600t and prices slightly increased 1.8% to US$518.3/t.

ALUMINUM

Meanwhile, Brazil's aluminum exports brought in US$90.5mn in December, up 16.8% compared to the same year-ago period mostly due to an 18.9% increase in shipment volume to 47,600t, while the price per ton decreased 1.7% to US$1,902.1/t.