Brazil's ferrous scrap exports increased 24% in February to 53,071 mt, from 42,930 mt in the same month last year, according to the most recent official customs data.
Exports were also up 29% when compared with January shipments abroad of 41,114 mt.
Most of the exports last month -- 48,636 mt -- were shipped to Asian countries at an average FOB price of $282/mt, down compared with $365/mt in February 2013, but up from $273/mt in January.
"There is a further expectation of lower prices for April orders, following the downtrend worldwide and recent falls seen in US scrap prices," said a source in Sao Paulo.
Shipments in February totaled 35,284 mt, against a total of 25,912 mt in the previous month, and were made mainly via the Santos port in Sao Paulo state.