The index refers to the month of November, compared to the same period in 2017, reaching a total mark of 19,91 thousand tons. Commercial ties between Brazil and Asian countries will become closer in 2019

Brazilian iron ore exports to China in November totaled 19,91 million tonnes, up 2% year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Commerce and Development. China accounted for 59% of the 33,96 million tons of total exports by Brazil in November.

The sales value of shipments to China was US$995 million fob, up 24% from November 2017 when the average price increased to US$49,93/mt fob from US$40,84 / mt FOB.

Malaysia received the second highest volume of exports at 2,34 million tonnes, up 60%, while sales value rose 85% to $114 million.

Irony or not, a good part of the exports destined to the naval industry of China and Malaysia are to build vessels that, in the future, will return to Brazil to produce in oil assets in the country due to the new rules of local content and the service fees imposed here .

Brazil is also the biggest supplier of crude oil to China

Oil shipments from Brazil to China's independent refiners rose 81,4% on the month to 1,21m tonnes in August. Eight companies in China, including trader Taifeng Hairun, imported Brazilian crude oil from the Lula, Iracema and Sapinhoa ​​fields in the same month.

Although there was a little commercial friction between the Chinese government and some statements by the then president-elect, Jair Messias Bolsonaro in October, everything returned to normal. Even the Japanese were at Porto do Açú last week to evaluate the port complex and assess future import business.