According to Brazilian trade statistics made available in Tokyo, Brazil's pig iron exports totaled 287,000 tons in October 2012, up 67.3% from the same month of a year ago, when they increased by 4.4% from a month ago, indicating the third highest level so far after a total of 334,000 tonnes in April and that of 333,000 tonnes in February since the beginning of 2012.
Of the total, the USA took the largest amount of 197,000 tonnes, up 152.5% from the same month of a year ago; Taiwan the second largest of 40,000 tonnes, up 237.8%; China the third largest of 32,000 tonnes (zero purchases in October 2011); and the Netherlands the fourth largest of 10,000 tonnes, up 1,770.7%.
In January to October 2012, Brazilian pig iron exports totaled 2,547,000 tonnes, down 9.7% from the same period of 2011, when the cumulative exports translated into an annualized 3,060,000 tonnes.
In the breakdown by main destinations, the USA ranked first at 1,719,000 tonnes, down 8.2% from the same period of 2011; Taiwan second at 318,000 tonnes, up 20.7%; China third at 161,000 tonnes, down 50.7% and the Netherlands fourth at 112,000 tonnes, down 19.9%.