The price of iron ore has fallen for the first session in nine on a bout of mild profit-taking.

At the end of the latest session, benchmark iron ore for immediate delivery to the port of Tianjin in China was trading at $US65.00 a tonne, down 0.6 per cent from its prior close of $US65.40 a tonne.

An eight session positive run over the past fortnight had sent iron ore to a four-month high as traders welcomed signs of falling stockpiles at key Chinese ports.

Recent data showed stockpiles at their lowest level in 18 months, with high quality Australian ore seen in heavy demand as a result.

Prices were also boosted last week by comments from Brazilian mining heavyweight Vale, with the world's largest iron ore miner reporting that scale-backs from low-grade Chinese producers had been more extensive than most analysts realise.

The latest sign of weakness appeared to have little in the way of catalysts, with the move a sign of caution after the extended rally.

Few analysts expect the price recovery to continue much longer, with most forecasting prices in the $US40s or $US50s by the end of the year.