Brazilian ferroalloy exports fell 41.8% year on year to 21,266 mt in January from 36,555 mt in January 2014, according to data released Monday by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade.

The value of these January exports was $203.36 million FOB, down 9.3% from $224.34 million FOB value of exports in the same month of last year, the ministry said.

January's shipments fell 20.9% compared with December's 26,913 mt while the value of the exports was slightly up from December's $202.98 million FOB, the ministry said.

China was the primary export destination for Brazilian ferroalloys last month, importing 4,762 mt, 7.9% below the 5,133 mt it imported in January 2014, but up 5.8% from the 4,466 mt it imported in December. The value of sales to China in January totaled $53.3 million FOB, up 7.9% year on year and down 6.9% month on month from December's $57.26 million FOB, the ministry said.

Shipments to the Netherlands, the second-largest buyer of Brazilian ferroalloys in January, collapsed to 2,390 mt, down 56.7% from 5,528 mt in January 2014 and 16.5% below December's 2,864 mt.

The value of sales to the Netherlands totaled $43.173 million FOB, 12.1% below January 2014's $49.15 million FOB and 24% above December's $34.8 million FOB.

Ferrosilicon, ferronickel, and ferroniobium accounted for 95.9% of Brazilian shipments and 99.8% of sales in January, according to the data.

• [Editor:Phillip.Feng]