Business News Americas reported that Brazil's iron ore exports increased to 116 MT in January to May from 104 MT in the same 2013 period.

Iron ore and base metals association Sinferbase said that mining giant Vale accounted for 107 MT of the shipments, while pellet producer Samarco a 50:50 JV between Vale and BHP Billiton exported 8.07 MT.

Pellet exports in the first five months totaled 18.0 MT down from 18.6 MT. Domestic iron ore sales fell to 10.1 MT from 10.4 MT.

Sinferbase members include Vale and its Itabrasco, Nibrasco, Hispanobras and Kobrasco units; Samarco, resource group Anglo American and local iron ore miner MMX.